80 JUDGING OF STOCK. 



These latter, it is true, depending upon the structure of 

 the chest and other parts, are far better developed, and 

 more permanently fixed, in some races than in others, 

 and are derived more or less by descent, and capable 

 of being transmitted. The breed, therefore, cannot be 

 wholly disregarded, inasmuch as it is an element in 

 forming a judgment of the merits of a milch cow. 



Cows, of whatever breed, having the best developed 

 external marks of good milkers, will very rarely disap- 

 point the practised eye or the skilful hand ; while cows 

 of breeds in highest repute for the dairy, and which do 

 not show these marks, will as certainly fail to answer 

 the expectations of those who select them simply for 

 the breed. Those who would obtain skill in judging of 

 these marks, and by means of them be able to estimate 

 the value of a cow, need not expect to attain this end 

 without long study and practical observation, for which 

 some men have far greater talent than others ; being 

 able, while examining a particular mark or favorite 

 characteristic of a milker, to take in all others at a 

 glance, and so, while appearing to form their opinion 

 from one or two important points, actually to estimate 

 the whole development of the animal, while others 

 must examine in detail each point by itself. Long prac- 

 tice is required, therefore, to become an adept in the 

 judgment and selection of milch cows ; but still much 

 assistance may, unquestionably, be derived by careful 

 attention to the external signs which have been long 

 observed to indicate the milking qualities. 



It is important, in the first place, to be able to judge 

 of the age of the cow. Few farmers wish to pur- 

 chase a cow for the dairy after she has passed her 

 prime, which will ordinarily be at the age of nine or 

 ten years, varying, of course, according to care, feed- 

 ing, <fec, in the earlier part of her life. 



