River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-09-03
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD MICH con

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD MICH COW
We find good mixers in all herds, but
they are rare in some and very common
in others. 1t could not be otherwise /;
milk-givng qualities depend on the con-
ditions which determine the formation Of
the breeds, and are due partly to the eli
mate, soil, and plants of the countries
where the breeds have originated, and
must therefore vary in our different breeds
of horned cattle with the hygienic condi-
tons peculiar TO each locality. Mixers,
and more especially animals intended for
breeding, must always be selected from
among breeds celebrated for the abund-
ance of milk not that we can hope to inn
port into our locality. with dry and
warm climate, all the qualities of those ex-
cellent milking breeds possessed by coun-
tries in which the soil is as fertile, the air
more moist, and the sky generally cloudy.
But as the influence of climate, though
very marked, takes effect only in the long
run the qualities of the animals imported
are aintained-though subject, doubt
less, to gradual deteriorations-durin a
period which varies with the precautions
taken to preserve them, and for several
generations the descendants of the indi.
viduals OF good imported breed give more
milk than individuals belonging to a breed
| formed en- the spot where hygienic cir
cumstances are not unusually favorable
to milking qualities. 1t is not to be for
gotten, moreover, that under the influence
Of particular circumstances, which it is
sometimes impossible to call into exist
ance, animals manifest qualities which we
cannot produce directly, and this explains
why it is often more advantageous to i'm.
port these qualities possessed by foreign
stock than to try to develop them in IA.
tive herds. We deem it sufficient to OBJ
serve that good milking breeds are dis
tinguished by soft and supple skin, and
by tissues rather relaxed than rigid /; are
not hardy or fit to bear fatigue, sweating
easily, and falling rapidly off when put Il
J work; are difficult TO work, seldom fat
and have often little flesh on the buttocks
As milking qualities are in great
measure dependent on structure and tenn
perament-which are more or less hcredi
tary-descent exercises great influence
In each breed, therefore, we should choose
individuals belonging to the best stocks,
and the oifSprings of parents remarkable
for their milky qualities, for it is certain
that good milk cows produce others which
resemble them. 1t should be our object,
then, as far as possible, TO obtain COWS
engendered by youngish bulls, whatever
be the race TO which they belong. But
it is especially where selecting stock
for the purpose Of breeding mil
cows that particular care shonld
| be taken to select individuals
belonging to good families. A COW Of a
good milking family, or even breed, may
occasionally be an excellent mixer, and
more Of this is not wanted when il is not
wanted TO breed from her. The same
cannot be said when breeding is intended
because there would be little chance oil
her transmitting the accidental or excep'
tional qualities possessed by her, where.
as the qualities forming the fixed and
constant characters Of the stock would all
most TO a certainty DC transmitted to her
descendants. These remarks with regard
to breed and parentage apply to the Sc
lection Of the bull, which, as experience
demonstrates, acts like those Of COW in
transmitting the milking qualities which
distinguish the breed and stock. The di
gestye organs have powerful influence
on the exercise Of all the functions, ant
particularly on the secretions Of the milk
glands. Where the digestive organs ar,
defective good milk cows are rarely me
with A good state Of the digestive or
gans is eyinced by the following partic
ulars: A belly Of moderate size, with
yielding sides, free from tighiness. II
aged beasts the belly is often large
though the organs which it contains ar,
in good cond ton. A large mouth, thicl
and strong lips, a good appetite, easy anc
quick digestion, glossy hair, and a suppl,
skin, with kind OF unctuous feel. Ami
mails possessing these anatomical AM
physiological properties eat well, drinl
much, and, II they arc properly fed anC
not overworked, make much blood an,
yield large quantities Of milk, The fes