1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 75 



intelligent understanding of the animal physiologically, with- 

 out knowing what a cow is, how she came to be what she is, 

 or how to handle such a delicate piece of machinery. 



You see before you in this picture of a Hereford heifer a 

 clear illustration of an opposing temperament. This animal 

 has been bred for hundreds of years to lay on flesh and fat. 

 She shows, in all of the distinguishing characteristics of her 

 outline, the peculiar form and function of an opposing tem 

 perament, and I bring her before you in order to make the 

 contrast more sharp. This animal belongs especially to the 

 phlegmatic or adipose temperament, and just in proportion 

 as you enhance this power do you decrease the power of 

 maternity. Now, what is this Ilolstein cow? She is the 

 enhanced and enlarged expression of motherhood and mater- 

 nity. Before motherhood and maternity let every man take 

 off his hat! This Hereford cow is a miser. She constantly 

 gathers to herself, and refuses to give up until she is led lo 

 the block. This Ilolstein cow is a benefactor. Motherhood 

 is always a benefaction. The meaning of it is to give, and 

 give every day. Now, the temperament of the Hereford cow 

 is shown clearly in her form. You sec her heavy shoulder, 

 the projecting brisket, the round shoulder-blades, the heavy 

 chine, the heavy loin, the marked outspring of the rib from 

 the backbone. Why? In order that her loin may lie there. 

 h\ the dairy cow the rib springs the other way. There 

 would be no chance to lay the loin if it sprung that way in 

 the Hereford ; it would slip oft*. Therefore you see how 

 widely varied are the forms of these animals ; and when you 

 look deeper you find they differ in their temperament, and 

 the temperament seems to determine their function. If you 

 meddle with that temperament at all, and endeavor to unite 

 the temperament of the one with that of the other, so much 

 the less will the dairy temperament enhance your profit. 

 And this is the reason that you see to-day all over the 

 United States this low average in dairy cattle. What has 

 been the folly that has caused it? The universal idea among 

 farmers of a "general-purpose " cow. " I want a cow," says 

 one, " as a general-purpose cow ; " and so he breeds for a 

 little beef, a little milk, a little this and a little that, and in 

 the end finds himself without profit in any line ; and as a 



