DAIRY STOCK. 103 



superior quality of milk so proverbial to the breed, as com- 

 pared with natives. 



Some stock-raisers in this State are improving their herds 

 in this manner without the use of imported stock. It would, 

 however, require many generations of stock to get a pure 

 breed, for many thoroughbred cows differ as much from each 

 other in their qualities as milkers, as they differ from ex- 

 cellent natives. 



The plan generally adopted by stock-raisers, is to breed 

 from pure blood with thoroughbreds ; but even here extreme 

 care is requisite, or the stock will and must deteriorate. 

 Some pure bloods are poor cows, imperfect physically, and 

 unfit for breeders or milkers ; hence the necessity of great 

 care in the selection for breeders, be they thoroughbreds or 

 natives. A superior native may be a better breeder than an 

 inferior thoroughbred. 



The accurate and scientific breeder looks well to the quality 

 of tho animal desired, whether it be beef or milk which is 

 most wanted. The brain of beef-producing animals is com- 

 paratively small ; they are calm and unexcitable in their 

 organization, but the production of milk is the result of 

 delicately constructed organs in the animal economy. 



An eminent stock-raiser in our State gives the following 

 description of the qualities observable in selecting an ex- 

 cellent milch cow: "A good dairy-cow has a good deal of 

 brain ; she is wide across the top of her head, wide between 

 the eyes, and is a very sensitive animal indeed. A thunder- 

 shower will often reduce her flow of milk ; a blow from a 

 whip will often reduce it. Her cerebral organization, and 

 the functions which are devoted to the production of milk, 

 are delicately formed." He also adds : "When you wish to 

 select a milk-producing cow, you want a firm, broad head, a 

 clear, bright, expressive eye ; and if the horn is a little large 

 at the base, it does no harm. You want the shoulders to be 

 comparatively loose, not compact like the shoulders of a beef- 

 producing, fattening animal, thrown on ; apparently a good 

 milking cow always has this peculiarity. If a dairy cow 

 drops a little behind the shoulders, do not let it disturb you. 

 A dairy cow's back and rump should be as level as those of a 

 beef-producing animal ; her forefeet should be broad, firm, 



