250 LABORATORY MANUAL OF AGRICULTURE 



Equipment. A good dairy cow. 



Directions. Examine the animal carefully and estimate 

 the value of each point given on the accompanying score 

 card. While judging the animal by the score card, have in 

 mind an ideal animal. You can obtain an idea of an ideal 

 animal from the best individuals that you have seen at stock 

 shows and fairs, or from pictures of the winners at the Inter- 

 national Live Stock Show. With the picture of an ideal 

 animal in mind compare each point of the animal you are 

 scoring with the ideal. 



The standard score on the score card refers to the ideal 

 animal. In judging each point record the number of points 

 that the animal falls below the ideal. The accompanying 

 photograph, Fig. 19, shows the location of the points de- 

 scribed on the score card that should be observed in judging a 

 dairy cow. 



The Head 8 Per Cent. Examine the general appearance 

 of the head and note the size of the muzzle. The muzzle 

 should be broad, for this is usually associated with a good 

 feeder. The face of the dairy cow should be of good length 

 and free from extra flesh. A fleshy face is not associated with 

 high milk production. The eyes should be large, mild, and 

 quiet but not drowsy. A large milk production is not asso- 

 ciated with a drowsy eye. The ears should be of medium 

 size, fine textured, and well supplied on the inside with waxy 

 secretion of yellow color. The waxy secretion yellow in 

 color indicates vigor and general good health in the animal. 



Forequarters 10 Per Cent. The throat should be thin and 

 clean-cut. The neck should be of medium length, thin, and 

 free of flesh, in direct contrast to the beef animal. A short, 



