CHAPTER XXIX. 



THE COMMON MODE OF OBTAINING COWS, MILKING, 4C. 



WE cannot dismiss the subject of "selecting a good dairy 

 cow," without alluding to the common method to which our 

 dairymen are now subjected, in obtaining their cows, instead of 

 breeding them, as they can much better, and more economi- 

 cally do. 



A cheese, butter, or milk dairyman, is in want of good cows. 

 He starts out, either himself, or by an agent to pick them up 

 through the country where cows are for sale, or goes to the 

 "drove yards," where they are congregated, and tries his hand 

 at a purchase. He knows the kind of cows he wants, and their 

 value, and can tell a good one when he sees her. He finds a 

 herd of them, and looks about until he gets his eye on such as 

 may possibly suit his purpose. But he knows nothing about 

 their breeding, their education, or mode of treatment, what good, 

 or what bad qualities, tricks, faults, or vices, as well as virtues 

 they possess. "His eyes are his chap." After a deal of chaf- 

 fering, higgling, and perhaps jockying on the part of the seller, 

 he bargains in the best way he can, for what he thinks may 

 answer his necessities. 



Getting them home, and putting them to use, they then come 

 to trial. One proves a gentle, fine, generous creature, producing 

 an abundant flow of good milk, and found serviceable just 

 what he wants. The next milks hard. The next is troubled 

 with garget, or gives bloody milk out of a teat or two, and so 

 much of the yield is actually lost. A third kicks, taking an 



