The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-08-22
The Cow.

lowing is SeIn' LII is al eAGracG
from Mr.. Henry S. Coudon's essay
read before the Cecil Farmers Club
at its last meeting held August 18th
at his place.
1t used to bother our forefathers a
good deal to pick out good cow be.
fore she came to the pail. They
claimed to be able to judge pretty
we'll by certain indications but were
often deceived. Happily this uncer.
tainty in the selection of the best
has been removed. About twenty
five or thirty years ago a French,
man named Guenon discovered what
he claimed to be an almost infalable
means of foretelling the future status
of any heifer as regards her milking
qualities This is quickly and easily
done by an examination of her per
son and in the method of procedure,
and in the results obtained is some
what similar to The operations of the
phremologists. They both claimed
to be able to tell in advance the
characteristics and capabilities of
their subjects, and are believe
about equally successful. One very
marked difference in their methods
is that they work at different ends
The learned inspector of the human
subject confines himself to the head
and is governed in a great measure
by the bumps thereon, whilst Cue
mons followers seek the other extre.
nifty and are governed by the growth
and direction of the hair on what the
little Frenchman is pleased to style
the "escutchion." Proiciently in
either science is impossible without
practice and study. Professors OF
the first formerly travelled around the
country and for small consideration
revealed to the anxious inquiries
their future possibilities. Of late we
hear little of them or of their
theories. Adopts at the cow business
travel a good deal also and are often
found at what are called agricultural
exhibitions. They 60 in trios and
are much sought after by the fair
managers and are styled "experts.'
They generally are bald-headed and
wear eyeglasses. Their method of
procedure is in one respect very un-
like that of the phrenologist. The
latter goes by himself and relies
principally upon his cultivated sense
of touch and bases his judgment OF
character by size and arrangement of
the protuberances on the skull. He
takes no account of the hair. In fact
he would rather operate on heads
without any. What chance he
would have by tue way in this Club.
The other scientific gentlemen ap-
proach their subjects from the rear,
arrange themselves in semi.circle
around their victim and whilst one
gently lifts and holds to one side the
caudal appendage, a second noses
around under 1t and makes critical
inspection of the ''escutcheon," what
ever that is, and whilst he calls out
the particular indications, the third
puts it down in a book furnished by
the Society. don't know that these
men demand or receive any other
remuneration than ticket of admis.
sion and a dinner, which of itself is a
big thing. This formality is practised
upon all animals entered for compe.
tition in the milking classes, without
regard to size. age, breed, color or
sex and when all have passed the
ordeal they are led back, and a report
is made out which entities the deserv-
ingto prizes. These prizes establish
the future standing of the recipients
in the society, and although nominal.
ly worth but few dollars each, are
of immense value to the owners of
the animals. They seem to advertise
the stock and also to enhance its
value, as many are governed in their
selection by the quality of the medals
secured. There is much rivalry
amongst exhibitors in regard to the
rating of their stock, and there is. and
always will be, clashing of opinion
as to the merits of the different
breeds. AS some of our members are
somewhat sensitive on this point l
will make no further comment.