Sei^ectiox of Cows. 55 



In regard to breeding cattle : it is no longer a problem 

 with me how the Shorthorns, the Aj-rshircs, the Devons, 

 the Holsteins, the Jerseys, and the Brittanies, have and retain 

 their characteristics, as fowls are bred, true to a feather. 



It is brains that does it. 



Nature's laws, as related to the breeding of cattle, though 

 not in the least violated, are as much under the control of 

 the experienced and skilll'u] breeder, as the ship is under the 

 ■control of the lielmsman. 



So in all our endeavors to improve our dairies, whether in 

 breeding for a specific pnrpose, or selecting for a specific 

 purpose, or feeding profitably, we need to understand 

 nature's laws, and be able to trace a cause to its effect. 



My experiments to test the relative value of cows as but- 

 ter producers, and mv observation and knowledo-e of what 

 others have accomplished, in regard to selecting, breeding, 

 feeding and caring for cows, have had the effect to make me 

 somewhat entiuTsiastic on this subject, and I venture the 

 assertion, without fear of successful contradiction, that if 

 this subject were carefully studied, and such tests and exper- 

 iments made as can be made at trifling cost, except applica- 

 tion and work attended with pleasure, the not profit from 

 the cows of Vermont, kept in butter dairies, would be 

 ■doubled in ten years, even though the number should be 

 decreased twenty-five per cent. 



This may seem an extravagant statement, and, as we all 

 like facts witli the privilege of forming our own conclusions, 

 I desire to call your attention to some of the results from 

 careful selection and care of cows that have come under my 

 observation and notice. 



