16 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRKTLTURE. 



udders the quantity of milk-secreting glands is really small, and after milking the 

 udder is almost as large and distended as before. A good udder " milks away." and 

 ~\vhen empty shows a lot of loose skin of a soft, pliable texture. 



THE MILK- VEINS. .' 



These pass out of the front of the udder, one on each side, along the abdomen, 

 and can readily be felt just beneath the skin. They enter the body-cavity through 

 openings called ''milk-wells" toward the fron* legs 



These veins carry the blood, from which The milk is secreted, on its way from 

 the udder tack to the heart and lungs. A large supply of blood means a large milk 

 production. The milk-vein is one of the most reliable indications of milking capacity. 

 The larger the vein and the more crooked and branching, the better are the indica- 

 tions. In judging a dry cow or one that has been milking a long time, the size of 



the milk-wells should be noted. The veins decrease in size as the lactation period 

 advances, but with mature cows the size of the milk-wells remain constant. In 

 young animals the veins will be smaller than when mature. 



THE HERD BULL. 



It is a well-known saying that " the bull is half the herd." Some authorities 

 claim that he counts for more than half the future herd. Investigations seem to 

 show that the sire possesses the faculty of transmitting dairy qualities even more 

 than the dam. 



It is. then, mistaken economy to buy a bull simply because he is cheap. A pure- 

 bred bull of the breed chosen should be got. He should be a typical specimen of 

 his breed, with good conformation and strong vitality and constitution. In addition, 

 he must have ancestors with good dairy records. His dam especially should be a 

 high producer. 



