264 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



NOEFOLK. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Milch Cows. — At the late exhibition, the duties of the com- 

 mittee were less arduous than formerly, in consequence of the 

 superior arrangement of animals ; for which they think the 

 committee of arrangements and superintendents are entitled to 

 much credit. They are also happy in being able to say, that 

 competitors complied much better with the requisitions of the 

 society, in making their statements, than in 1856. 



Different writers have given their marks as signs of a good 

 cow. One, in speaking of a breeding cow, says : — 



" A perfect breeding cow ought to have a fine head, with a 

 broad, smooth forehead ; black eyes ; clean horns ; a smooth, 

 elastic skin ; a large, deep body ; strong, muscular thighs ; a 

 large white udder, with long and tapering teats ; together with 

 every other token requisite in a bull, allowing for the difference 

 in sex. Further, such animals OTight particularly to be young. 

 Milch kine are not good for breeding after they are twelve years 

 old ; indeed, it has been said that the first calf which a cow 

 brings is the best for raising." 



Mr. Culley gives the following marks : " Wide horns, a thin 

 head and neck, dewlap large, full breast, broad back, large and 

 deep belly ; the udder capacious, but not too fleshy ; the milky 

 veins prominent, and the bag tending far behind ; teats long 

 and large ; buttocks broad and fleshy ; tail long and pliable ; 

 legs proportionable to the size of the carcass ; and the joints 

 shut. To these outward marks may be added a gentle disposi- 

 tion, a temper free from any vicious tricks, and perfectly man- 

 ageable on every occasion. On the other hand, a cow with a 

 thick head and a short neck, prominent backbone, slender cheek, 

 small udder, or a fleshy bag, short teats and thin buttocks, is to 

 be avoided as totally unfit for the purposes either for tlie dairy- 

 man, the suckler, or the grazier." 



And Mr. Wilkinson humorously sums up thus : — 



" She's long in her face, she's fine in her horn, 

 She'll (juifkly get fat without cake or corn, 

 She's clear in her jaws and full in her chine, 

 She's heavy in flank and wide in her loin. 



