Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-06
How to Select a Good Cow.

interest to great many people, and yet but
few people can be found who have any con-
fdence in their ability in this direction
There are but few people, who, if they are
going to buy a COW, will not ask friend to
go along with them and help pick her out,
or, not having friend who has conf lence in
his own Judgment, viii say to the seller,
Now l am not judge of cows, aud shall
have to depend on your honor in the matter.
Perhaps, rs a rule, the latter is the safer
way, but it is not always pleasant to acknowl
edge ones ignorance in regard to so simple
be compelled TO trust TO the honor of Others
in matters in which they may think their in
terest may bs against that of your own. OF
course it is a matter of considerable moment
to every farmer who keeps cows for dairy
purposes, whether it be milk dairy, but
ter dairy or a cheese dairy, to be able to select
good cow by her appearance, and although
not Of SO much moment, yet every man who
desires to keep COW ia town for the use OF
his family should be able to judge between
good and poor COW By examining her. It is
true the best judges may sometimes be de-
ceiyed in selecting cor, as men are liable
to be deceived in reference to al other mat
tiers. Sometimes cows appearances are de
ceptfve, and sometimes cows that have all
the indications of good COWS have been in-
jured go that they cannot be what they OPP
pear to be. We use the term good COW in
this connection as meaning COW that will
give good quantity of milk and of good
quality, say from ten to eleven months in
the year-a COW that in a dairy of hundred
or more cows VIII give more milk and of
better quality than the average-one that
would make profitable cow for a dairy or
for family. In the first place color has but
little to do with the milk or butter capacity
of COW. We have seen good cows and poor
cows of all colors and of almost every con-
csivable mixture of colors. Nor does the
breed have a great deal to do with the ques-
ton of good cow. We have seen good and
poor COWS among all breeds; but whatever
the breed, good COWS, as 5 rule, have the
same general characteristics, and can, as
rule be selected or designated as such by
good Judges. When animals differ so much
in general appearance as do shorthorn COWS
and Jersey COWS, or as do Jerseys and Ay..
shires, or Ayrshires and Devons, or Devons
and Rolsteins, those unacquainted with the
means and modes of distinguishing between
good mixers and poor ones are entirely at q
loss to distinguish how the thing is done. To
such we win endeavor to unfold the mystery
or unravel the puzzle. First, as to general
appearance. The fast thing that strikes the
observer in looking at a good COW is
that she has tie female rather than the
male appearance. She looks the COW
all over rather than the OK or the bull,
in any particular. The frs impression, even
to the unslilled as well IS to 5bs skilled exam
liner. is that she would make good mother. |
This general appearance is of itself an slmost
certain guide IN selecting q cow, 1t is as
much guide to the good judge, aud more SO
than 70 the novice, with this difference. that
the skilled observer Is not likely to make any
mistakes as to the correct general appear
ance, while the novice is very liable to do so.
The skilled observer is able to analyze and
test the general appearance by noting aud
designating the separate parts or points THAT
go to make up that general appearance, while
the novice looks at it as a whole, and can
only judge by the effect CT impression pro-
duced. Just as two persons may look st
beautiful painting-the one skilled artist
and the other a complete novice in art-both
may agree as to the general merits of the
painting, both may admire and prai,e, but
while the opinion of the one viii be of value,
that of the other will not be considered of any
value. The one can give reason for his
admiration and the other cannot the
one can analyze and point out the meritori-
Gus parts and show how they contribute to
and make up meritorious whole, while the
other can only judge from his underlined and
undesirable impressions. So in reference to
the opinions of different persons as to the
qualities of good COW. The opinion of the
skilled observer is good for something, be-
cause he knows how he arrives at his opinions
and can tell his reasons to another, while the
first looks at the general form. He requires
that the COW of his preference shall have
small rounded and rather thin and low shout
ders, with thin and rather long neck and
small head and fine horns. The eyes must be
large and full, but mild and pleasant, indi-
eating affection rather than fear or defiance.
The skin about the neck must set close and
smooth, and have no loose hanging dew-lap
about the throat. The head must taper well
from the horns to the nozzle. The hind quar-
tiers should be wide and spreading backwards
the hind legs standing well apart. The
tail may be long, but must be fine and taper
ing The buttock should be square and wide
and. come well down. What is called the
mirror or escutcheon should be large and
well defined, that is, the hair should
run up from the bag spreading and forming
or each side or bullock curl or cowlick.
The ribs should be round and widespread,
and the belly or paunch should be large and
full. With all these characteristics of form
tins cow must be good feeder and good
driaker. Such cow viii almost invariably
have wide and full bag the tests should
be set on well apart and be of middling size
soft and velvety to the touch, but not fsshy.
After milking the bag should be like an
empty sack, without form or substance.
Running from the bag forward under the
belly should be well-de6ned veins, and the
veins of the thighs should also be prominent
and full 1t will be seen that COW thus
shaped and possessing the characteristics
described must look the female and the
mother, because it is their form and these
characteristics that give her this look and
make her such, and makes her the good COW
whatever may be her breed or blood. It
should be observed also that the breed of
cattle that produces the greatest per cent. of
cows possessing this form and these char
acteristics is the best breed of cattle for the
dairy.
The lilly Lands Of California
The fat bottom lands Of all countries have
been settled by civilized people before the
billy lands have been occupied. AS rule