BREEDS OF DAIRY CATTLE 145 



in the animal in question. A common error among dairymen is to 

 use immature bulls and to dispose of good ones before their merit as 

 sires has been fairly proven. Bull calves are cheap, and young bulls 

 are considered much easier to handle. But it is good advice to the 

 buyer to purchase a bull of some age, whose progeny prove his value 

 as a breeder; and having a sire of proved excellence, to keep him and 

 use him for years, or as long as he shows himself potent and pre- 

 potent. 



Temperament. The chief objection made to bulls of some age 

 is that they are likely to be vicious and dangerous. Everyone recog- 

 nizes the difference in temperament between the fleshy, beefy bull 

 and the one of pronounced dairy character ; but experience and obser- 

 vation have taught that the bulls of marked dairy type are much 

 alike in disposition, regardless of breed. In all the breeds some bulls 

 will be found of naturally bad temper, but it is believed that the great 

 majority of bulls of all the dairy breeds can be safely kept until too 

 old for service and handled without serious trouble, if only properly 

 reared and judiciously managed. 



Control and Exercise. In rearing a bull, accustom it to being 

 handled from calfhood, but without fondling or encouraging frolic. 

 Give it kind, quiet, firm, and unvarying treatment, and keep .it 

 always under subjection, that it may never know its strength and 

 power. Insert the nose ring before it is a year old, keep this renewed 

 so as to be always strong, and always lead and handle the animal with 

 staff in the hands of a discreet and trusty man. The bull should 

 never run loose in yard or pasture, but should be provided with abun- 

 dant and regular exercise, always under restraint and full control. 

 Incidentally, he may be made to run a fodder cutter or a cream sepa- 

 rator and perform valuable service. As age and strength increase, 

 let the staff be supplemented by strap, chain, or rope attached to a 

 second ring. To this may well be added some hitching or leading 

 chain with a strong strap around horns or neck. Let there be always 

 a double hitching device, so that the bull may never by accident 

 find himself loose when he should be tied. If restiveness and temper 

 are shown, add to the exercise, in duration or quantity, without vio- 

 lence ; a bull physically tired may be depended upon to be quiet and 

 easily managed. It is much better to keep the bull as much as pos- 

 sible in the presence or in full sight of the herd than stabled by him- 

 self in a lonely place. 



Culling the Herd. As soon as the herd is established and in 

 working order, the study of every individual animal should begin. 

 To guide rational treatment and insure greatest profit, the owner 

 must become familiar with the characteristics of every cow. The 

 system of record should conform to the circumstances of the case 

 and extent of the business. The record should include a concise his- 

 tory and description of every member of the herd, with a summary of 

 the dairy performance. The latter requires a daily record of the milk 

 yield of every cow, with notes explaining irregularities or occurrences 

 of interest. If the quality of the milk i.s a matter of any importance, 

 as it is in most cases, and ought to be, however the milk is disposed 



