LECTURE NO. 5. 



INDICATIONS OF CORRECT FORM AND FUNCTION 

 COMMON TO THE DAIRY BREEDS. 



I. All the dairy breeds have certain features 

 of form and function which they possess more or 

 less in common. 



(1) These may be considered essential to good perform- 

 ance in the dairy. 



(2) The differences between them relate more to size and 

 breed peculiarities than to essential features of form and 

 function. 



II. The more important indications, impor- 

 tant perhaps in the order given, are : 



(1) Much length and depth in the barrel or coupling, 

 indicating a large consumption and utilization of food. 



(2) Refinement of form, as evidenced more particularly 

 in the head, neck, withers, thighs and limbs. 



(3) Good development of udder and milk veins. 



(4) Constitution, as indicated by a capacious chest, much 

 width through the heart, a broad loin, a full, clear eye, and an 

 active carriage. (See Note VIII below.) 



(5) Downward and yet outward sprung and open spaced 

 ribs, covered with a soft, pliable and elastic skin. 



III. Indications of correct form and function 

 given in detail. 



(1) Size The size should be medium to large for the 

 breed. 



(2) General Outline The triple wedge shaped formation 

 has long been considered essential, although it is not very 

 explicit. It implies 



(a) Increasing width from the 'withers downward. 



(b) Increasing width toward the rear parts. 



(c) Some increase in distance between the top and bottom 

 lines as they go backward. 



(3) Head The head should be medium to fine, clean 

 cut and relatively longer, lighter and more dished than in 

 the beef breeds. 



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