46 BREEDING CATTLE. 



considerable strain when the animal is in active service, and 

 any weakness will soon reveal itself, and may end the useful- 

 ness of the bull. 



Cows should possess the same characteristics of form, 

 quality, natural flesh, and constitution as bulls; but there 

 should be a finer appearance to the head and neck, and the 

 forequarters should be much lighter, while the hindquarters 

 should possess more width than in the bull, particularly in 

 the region of the pelvis. The cow should also show signs 

 of being a good milker, for the most regular breeders are 

 those that yield a fair flow of milk. 



Form, natural flesh, constitution and quality and early 

 maturity should all receive due attention in breeding stock; 

 in the bull strong masculinity is desired as an important 

 requisite, while the females should possess the opposite 

 traits. It should ever be kept in mind that a weakness in 

 breeding stock is far more serious than in feeders or stock- 

 ers, for in the latter case the defect ceases with the indi- 

 vidual, while in breeding bulls, a weakness may be transmit- 

 ted to several hundred offspring; in the case of the cow the 

 same transmission occurs, but in more limited degree. 



