120 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



In other words, animals may be profitable for milking 

 when so far past the meridian of vigor that they may not 

 be able to produce animals possessed of the highest essen- 

 tials for successful breeding. The limit of the period of 

 usefulness with these would seem to be the limit of mark- 

 edly profitable milk production. The resultant meat pro- 

 duction from them is of so little account that it is scarcely 

 worthy of serious consideration as a factor in influencing 

 duration in the milking period. It is quite different, how- 

 ever, with dual types of cows. With them the carcass is 

 a factor of no little importance, hence its value should be 

 considered. The limit of the duration of milk giving in 

 the dual cow would probably be the same as the limit of 

 the duration of her capacity for successful breeding. But 

 most of all is it important that the period for useful labor 

 shall be prolonged in horses and mules, for reasons already 

 given. The limit of the duration of such usefulness is not 

 easily fixed. It ought to cease when the relative cost of 

 maintenance and of driving become too great relatively for 

 the resultant profit. Then it is that such animals should 

 be sent to the shades of non-existence by some form of easy 

 death. To sell them to those who are liable to abuse them 

 subsequently would be in a sense criminal. 



