380 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



fairer basis for comparison is the pounds of butter fat 



obtained. Quarts of milk are taken in this discussion 



merely for simplicity of expression. 



I am acquainted with large herds producing from 300 to 



400 pounds of butter per cow, and averaging from 6,000 



to 8,000 quarts of milk. No progressive dairyman ought 



to be satisfied with less than 400 pounds of butter as the 



average annual product of his herd, nor keep a cow not 



capable of yielding at least 300 pounds. " Cow boarders" 



should be disposed of without hesitation for what they will 



bring. 



How to know a Good Cow. 



Judges of dairy stock differ more or less in their methods 

 of selection, and the relative importance they attach to the 

 points presented. There is a general similarity of observa- 

 tion and opinion ; but I am aware that in attempting to 

 describe those points which I consider most essential I shall 

 lay myself open to criticism by other and perhaps better 

 judges of milk and butter cows. Perhaps such criticism 

 would be helpful rather than otherwise. 



The essential points in the conformation of a dairy cow 

 are, briefly, and about in the order given : — 



1. Udder capacious, with broad attachment. 



2. Body large and deep. 



3. Hind quarters wide and strong. 



4. Fore quarters spare fleshed and rather openly jointed. 



5. Milk-veins, skin, hair, temperament, etc., indicating 

 large milking powers. 



To enlarge on these points in detail : — 



1. The Udder. — Capacity is the chief requirement in a 

 good udder, but it is not always indicated by the size and 

 shape of the organ. An udder may be large and yet meaty 

 and not capacious ; or it may be unsymmetrical and yet 

 elaborate a large quantity of milk. It must be long and 

 broad in its attachment to the body, becoming more let 

 down with advancing age, but not pendulous. If it ex- 

 tends well up behind and well forward, and has great width, 

 its capacity is assured, regardless of its vertical dimension. 

 As a fancy point, teats squarely placed and wide apart are 



