CATTLE PRODUCTION 19 



open ; thighs are thin and incurving, sometimes termed "cat hams ;" and bones 

 in all parts of the body indicate quality rather than coarseness. 



Sharp Wedges Indicate Temperament. The lean, muscular tissue on the 

 outside and underneath the shoulder blades and along the back accounts for 

 the comparatively sharp conditions of the withers. The wedge-shaped con- 

 formation of the body is largely due to the absence of flesh about the neck 

 and the fore quarters. It may be said, therefore, that the sharp end of the triple 

 wedge-shaped conformation is indicative of dairy temperament. 



In judging quality and condition of the muscular tissue of the body, considera- 

 tion should be allowed for the size, age and stage of lactation of the animal. It 

 should also be borne in mind that the bones and muscular tissues in a large cow 

 are naturally heavier than in a smaller or younger animal. Then, too, there is not 

 the natural refinement and spareness of form in the larger breeds that there is in 

 the smaller ones. Marked coarseness, however, in any animal is undesirable 

 and is usually accompanied by a sluggish disposition that in the case of the 

 dairy cow prevents her from "performing at the pail" satisfactorily. Young 

 heifers with their first calves usually carry more flesh than cows of mature 

 form. All cows that are properly fed usually show a higher condition of 

 flesh development toward the close of their lactation and prior to freshening 

 than they do when four or five months advanced in lactation. This should 

 be taken into consideration in judging dairy temperament. 



A Well Developed Udder. The udder is the milk secreting organ and its 

 proper development is, therefore, essential. Cows, even of large digestive ca- 

 pacity and of pure dairy breeding, fail to make satisfactory productions when 

 they have poorly developed udders. 



The udder consists of two large glands which are more or less distinctly 

 divided to correspond with each of the four teats. The duct of each teat enters 

 a small cavity termed the "milk reservoir." The milk reservoir of each quarter is 

 more or less surrounded by lobes of glands held in position and closely together by 

 connecting tissue. These lobes may be likened to thick bunches of grapes since 

 each lobe has several divisions called lobules, corresponding to the grapes. The 

 lobules are made of small divisions called "alveoli" which correspond to the 

 seeds of grapes. These alveoli consist of small cells surrounded by a fine net- 

 work of blood vessels and nerves. The milk is secreted by these cells. 



The best cows of all breeds have comparatively large udders with equally de- 

 veloped quarters extending well forward underneath the body and a good dis- 

 tance up behind and between the thighs. Swinging or pendulous udders result 

 from poor attachment. Irregularity in the development of the quarters is a 

 criticism to be offered on many udders. The first consideration, however, 

 should be size and quality. The gland tissue should be fine and plastic rather 

 than fatty or coarse and hard. 



Good Circulation of Blood Important. Only when there is a thorough 

 circulation of blood and all parts of the body are active in performing their respec- 

 tive functions, can the dairy cow be expected to yield a large flowof milk. When 

 the cow is sick, or, by virtue of her poor individuality, is dull and sluggish, there 



