10 INTRODUCTION. 



especially of the dairy breeds, is of manifest import- 

 ance. Though very excellent milkers will sometimes 

 be found in all of them, and of a great variety of forms, 

 the most desirable dairy qualities will generally be 

 found to have become fixed and permanent character- 

 istics of some to a greater extent than of others ; but 

 it does not follow that a race whose milking qualities 

 have not been developed is of less value for other pur- 

 poses, and for qualities which have been brought out 

 with greater care. A brief sketch of the principal 

 breeds of American cattle, as well as of the grades or 

 the common stock of the country, will aid the farmer, 

 perhaps, in making an intelligent selection with refer- 

 ence to the special object of pursuit, whether it be the 

 dairy, the production of beef, or the raising of cattle for 

 work. 



In a subsequent chapter on the selection of milch 

 cows, the standard of perfection will be discussed in 

 detail, and the characteristics of each of the races will 

 naturally be measured by that. In this connection, and 

 as preliminary to the following sketches, it may be 

 stated that, whatever breed may be selected, a full sup- 

 ply of food and proper shelter are absolutely essential 

 to the maintenance of an}^ milking stock, the food of 

 which goes to supply not only the ordinary waste of 

 the system common to all animals, but also the milk 

 secretions, which are greater in some than in others. 

 A large animal on a poor pasture has to travel much 

 further to fill itself than a small one. A small or 

 medium-sized cow would return more milk in propor- 

 tion to the food consumed, under such circumstances, 

 than a large one. 



In selecting any breed, therefore, regard should be 

 had to the circumstances of the farmer, and the object 

 to be pursued. The cow most profitable for the milk- 



