The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-10-07
The Cow, Mentally and Morally.

We believe that each COW has her
own separate characteristics and pecul-
iarities, just as surely as each human
being has, and that the popular idea of
her as being merely a fOod-machine is
both mistaken and unfair. The proofs
of her individuality are, no doubt, very
generally overlooked. and this is, prob
ably, due to two reason: Firstly, be-
cause her mechanical utility is so great
that people are quite contented there
with, and seek no further satisfaction
from her; and secondly, because she is
brought into close contact with the
world at large less than any other do
nestle animal except the sheep and
pig; so that the only people who have
the opportunity of an intimate acquaint-
ance with her are cowmen and dairy
maids, who are not, as rule, likely to
be careful observers, or apt to reason
upon their observations, or to make
known the results.
From what the present writer has
noticed about the cow-very limited as
that knowledge is-the conclusion is
warranted that she has never yet had
full justice done to her; that her mental
and moral good qualities have not been
developed, as they might have been, by
cultivation; and that-though less high
ly gifted with brains than the dog-she
yet possesses enough intelligence to en-
title her to more respectful consider
alton than she usually receives. That
cows acknowledge individuality among
themselves is evident, from the fact
that in every herd there is sure to be
found one master COW, who dOmineers
over all the rest. Is not this clear
proof that that particular cow is en-
dowed with an unusual amount of talent,
strength of character, gifts of leader
ship. decision, or some such distinguish.
ing quality, which her companions are
capable of recognizing?
That the cow is much influenced by
affection for human beings is certain.
Every one who has ever had much to
do with her knows that she will give
her milk most freely when MIXED by q
person whom she likes, whereas she
will not give it as well, or even will
withhold it altogether, if the mixer is
a stranger, or any one to whom she has
an aversion; consequently it is most
important that all her attendants should
be Invariably kind, gentle and patient
with her. In our childhood, there was
in the herd beautiful little Attorney,
with whom we were on intimate and
affectionate terms, and who, after caly-
ing, firmly declined to be MIXED. The
dairymaid being in difficulties, the
present writer went to her assistance,
and found that the COW would remain
as quiet as possible 50 long as we stood
by her head and caressed her; and after
we had thus assisted for the first once
or twice when she was MIXED, she be-
came quite reconciled to the operation,
and never afterward gave any more
trouble about it.
At the time we were on an excellent
footing with all the cows, through con-
stantly taking them bits of bread, APP
ple-parings and similar luxuries; and
also through having discovele ed where
abouts they most enjoyed having their.
faces. necks, heads, &C., rubbed, or pat
ted, or scratched. The consequence of
this was that they used to greet the
arrival of their friend among them
cordially, and we we'll remember the
horror and dismay which this once
caused to German governess. We
were crossing field on one side of a
hill. when the herd caught sight of us,
and came charging toward us, tossing
their heads with joy and excite