FEEDING DAIRY CATTLE 173 



lapse of the centuries, cows have been saved for the 

 dairy because of their tendency to give much milk 

 or milk of a rich quality. The milk-yielding capac- 

 ity of the breeds was not achieved in one genera- 

 tion, or in two, nor can it be discarded readily once 

 it has become habitual to the breed, the strain, or 

 the individual. 



To the practiced eye there are several indications 

 of milky tendency in dairy cows. These are known 



THE MILK-YIELDING FUNCTION EXEMPLIFIED 



This Jersey cow comes from a long line of milk producers. It is as nat- 

 ural for her to give milk as it is for her to eat. 



to be the wedge-like shape of the body when ob- 

 served from front, side or rear; the width between 

 the eyes ; the fine, narrow forequarters and broad 

 spacious hind quarters ; springing ribs, long and 

 wide apart ; the refined feminine countenances ; the 

 hair, silk-like and smoothly laid on the skin, which, 

 itself, is fine, mellow, and soft to the touch. In 

 addition to these characteristics the stomach should 



