296 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE DAIRY. 



Cows FOR THE DAIRY. From what has been said on the 

 various characteristics of the different breeds of cattle, it 

 must be evident, that no very definite criteria of excellence 

 can be given, for all good dairy cows. But there are certain 

 points in a good milker, that can hardly be mistaken. She 

 should be descended from the best milking stock ; her head 

 should be small or of medium size, muzzle fine and nostrils 

 flexible and expanded ; face long, slender and dishing ; cheeks 

 thin; eyes full, mild and prominent; horns delicate and 

 waxy, and they may be either branching, lopped, crumpled, 

 or hornless ; long, thin, lively ear, and the inside of an 

 orange color ; neck thin and small at its junction with the 

 head ; deep chest, but not too heavy before ; back level and 

 broad ; well ribbed ; belly large ; low flank ; wide thighs, 

 but thin ; short legs, and standing well apart ; large milking 

 veins ; loose, capacious udder, coming well out behind ; good 

 teats ; loose, mellow skin, of a deep yellow ; and a fine, thick 

 coat of glossy hair ; and she must be of a good disposition, 

 and free from tricks. Yet with all the skill of a well practised 

 taste in the selection of animals, the dairyman will frequently 

 find his theories and results at sad variance. One may some- 

 times select a fine animal, with every appearance of good 

 milking qualities, which is but a medium cow at the pail ; 

 and another, that hardly seems worthy of notice, and which 

 sets at defiance many established milking points and all pre- 

 conceived notions of symmetry, may yet prove a good milker. 

 A cow that runs to flesh while in milk, is generally an indif- 

 ferent animal for the dairy. Perfection in a cow, consists in 

 converting all she eats into milk while yielding it, and when 

 dry, in turning all she consumes into valuable meat. 



MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY Cows. A cow may have her 

 first calf when between 2 and 3 years of age, according to 



