18 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



a real scientific basis for preparing a scale of points makes 

 them unsatisfactory in many ways, but of great general 

 value, especially to the beginner. 



The General Characteristics of the Dairy Type. A person 

 familiar with cattle in general, but not with highly developed 

 dairy cattle, looking for the first time upon a high-class dairy 

 cow in full flow of milk would have his attention especially 

 directed to three points, as follows : 



1. The extreme angular form, carrying no surplus flesh, but 

 showing evidence of liberal feeding in her vigorous physical 

 condition. 



2. The extraordinary development of the udder and milk 

 veins. 



3. The marked development of the barrel in proportion to 

 the size of the animal. 



These three statements should be kept in mind as describ- 

 ing the special characteristics of the dairy animal as compared 

 with those bred for beef, or with inferior dairy animals. 

 Sometimes the error is made of attributing this lack of flesh, so 

 characteristic of a good dairy cow, to insufficient feeding. The 

 dairy cow does not, however, have the same appearance as an 

 animal not of the dairy type that is thin in flesh on account 

 of insufficient feed. A high-class dairy cow never carries 

 much flesh when in full flow of milk. The stimulation to pro- 

 duce milk is so strong that all the feed she can consume and 

 digest is utilized in producing milk. Such an animal, al- 

 though thin in flesh, has an alert, vigorous appearance, her hair 

 is soft and healthy, the skin pliable and loose, her paunch is 

 full, and a general appearance of thrift and contentment is 

 noticeable. An animal thin in flesh on account of insuffi- 

 cient feed has a stupid appearance, and shows a lack of vigor, 



