Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-03-30
SELECTING Coop Mich Cows.

SELECTING GOOD MICH lows
Mr.. Willard of New York, dairy
man of considerable experience, writes
to the Western Rural Some years
agolMors. Guenon, a Frenchman, made
the discovery that cows known as
good mixers had certain charac-
teristic marks shown in the hair grow
ing upon the u6der and upon and be-
tween the thighs above the udder.
Following out this popularity on diff
ferent animals, and noting the varia-
tons in the marks on great number
of COWS, from the best to the most ill.,
ferior mixers, he was enabled to es-
tablisb his theory, Of the milk mir
ror" or "escutcheon'' as it is termed.
The basis of the theory may De stated
in general terms as follows: The hair
on the buttocks of cattle grows in two
different directions, one portion point
ing up and another part downwards
and thus producing sort Of fringe at
the point of juncture. This hair which
has all upward tendency has been
termed the "escutcheon" the larger
the "escutcheon" according to NJ. Cue
non, the greater is the promise Of
milk and also of the continuance even
after the COW is again in calf.
A COW may have small escutcheon
and yet be a good mixer, but obser-
walton leads to the conclusion that if
she possessed more fully developed
escutcheon, she would have been
better mixer. In estimating the ex-
tent of the escutCheon, allowance
should be made for the folds in the
skin. otherwise a large escutcheon
may be taken as a small one. Besides
the escutcheon, there are tufts of hair
which when seen on the cows udder
have certain degree of value
1t would be impossible to give a
satisfactory explanation of NJ. Cue
mons theory without illustrations. He
has given twenty-seven different plates
or diagrams showing the escutcheon
in its fullest development, and rang
ing down to near Dothing, each one
exhibiting that peculiar growth of hair
!, on the parts above referred to- Your
correspondent would do well to pro-
cure copy of NJ. Guenons work and
J study the diagrams, comparing the
marks as indicated with those on the
animals of his herd known to be good
J or inferior mixers. In this way by
observation and practice great aSsis-
lance would be gained in selecting
/ good cows.
1t may be observed here that NJ
/ Guenon runs his theory down to a
l every fine point" much too fine in our
l. opinion to be of practical utility
2 though the general outlines or lead
4 ing features of the theory, when taken
| in connection with the shape and size
). of the COW, the texture of her skin, de
b velopment of the udder, milk vein, hel
s disposition, endurance of constitution
t and other points, give valuable aid il
5 selecting good mixers.
J, Weconsider the principles laid dowl
e by NJ. Guenon of considerable value
as additional aids to other well known
}, points of a good COW, but they shoulC
t not be relied upon singly and alon,
t as indicating what is, and what is no
5 a good mixer in every case.
i We have known experts " in the
theory to be deceived or make baC
Y selections in COWS, and we have our
4 selves been miSIed, relying 100 mucl
upon the marks or escutcheOn, over
|! looking perhaps other essential con
:, siderationS.
e If your correspondent has the idei
s that any one can point out upon pape
:, an unerring guide to select d goo'
mixer, every time, he is in error Of
a that subject. Much will depend upo
? the person who makes application OF
il rules laid down. An acquaintanc
r with animals, habits of close observe
4, ton, good judgment, or a natura
r gift" in determining the points of
+ good COW are important elements 70
f success in this field.
e NJ. Magne in his summary of NJ
l. Guenon's system divides the COWS az
y cordiEg to the quantity of milk whic
/ they give into four classes:
III First class cows are in that elias
:, when both divisions Of the lower e.
u cutcheon, the mammary and the pei
= in@um are large, continuous and IN
- form and cover at least a large POI
~ ton of the perni8um, the inside o
" the thighs and the udder and extenC
III moreover, with little or no breaI
III more or less over the limbs; eliptica
. in shape, and situated in The posterio
" face of the udder. But the COWS ma
y be considered first rate as mixers, j
~ In the absence of a we'll develOpe
~ escutcheon, they possess the follow
ing marks: Veins of the perin8ul
u varicOse and visible externally, or d
g least easily made 50 by compressio
m at the base Of the perin8um veins
II the udder large and knOtty: mil
y veins frequently double and equal 0
both sides of the animal, and formin
'e zigzag or wavy lines within the bell,
d In addition to the marks shown b
ID the veins and by the escutcheOn, til
70 udder should be large and yieldin!
| of homogeneous texture, having a thi
i skin covered with fine hair, and yielC
ID ing or shrinking much under the pre-
'e cess Of milking. The chest should b
le ample and a good constitution di
III played by regular appetite and di
&c position to drink much; the skin so
he and supple, hair soft and short, hea
/; small, horns fine and smooth, ey
ID quick but gentle, fine neck, and fen
)r mime air.
= Good cows are those that preser
! the mammary portions of the escutcI
:, con well developed; but the perinaul
~ portion is either wanting or is bl
a partially developed.