CHAPTER III. 



DAIRY COWS AND MANAGEMENT OF 

 THE DAIRY HERD. 



SELECTION. 



THERE are good milkers among nearly all breeds, 

 but they are rare in some and more common in 

 others. The wise dairyman will select his cows from 

 among those breeds which are characterized by dairy 

 qualities, rather than from those noted for beef- 

 making. Whether a cow will change her food largely 

 into milk or into beef will depend upon inherited 

 characteristics and upon training. Both of these are 

 potent factors in deciding whether or not a cow will 

 be profitable. When selecting cows for breeding, as 

 well as for milking purposes, it is important to have 

 animals which belong to milking families or strains, as 

 well as belonging to one of the dairy breeds. Cows of 

 any breed may be developed into dairy animals by a 

 process of selection and training ; but this is too long 

 a task for the average dairyman. A cow's milk-yield 

 depends not so much upon breed as upon her own 

 characteristics and her food and management. 



As regards size, choose a small cow where the 

 supply of food is somewhat limited, and larger ones 

 where there is an abundance of feed. 



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