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Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



productive capacity, and are valuable aids in judging dairy cows. 

 Many dairymen keep no records of the production in their herds, and 

 rely solely upon an examination of the individuality when additional 

 cows are purchased. There are other men who ridicule the idea of 

 judging a cow by any other means than records of her performance; 

 they will tell you of cows which score high but are poor yielders, and 

 of other cows which score low but are big producers. However, such 

 instances are exceptional and should not dislodge one's faith in the 

 value of studying the individuality of dairy cows. No doubt it is 

 wrong to rely solely upon either method of judging, for the two methods 

 may be combined to the advantage of each, and in this way the best 

 estimate of the value of a dairy cow is made. 



24 



Fig. 55. — Points of the dairy cow. 



The form of the high-class dairy cow is that of a triple- wedge. 

 One wedge is apparent from a side view; the cow is much deeper behind 

 than in front, so that if the top line and underline were continued on 

 forward they would meet at a point not far in front of the animal. 

 The second wedge is formed by a widening from breast to hindquarters, 

 so that the side lines rapidly converge if they are carried out in front 

 of the cow. These two wedges are sometimes secured, in part at least, 

 by a lack of width and depth in the chest, whereas they should result 



