OFFICIAL STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR CATTLE 99 



Third. One of the important distinguishing features of the breed 

 is the presence of a yellow color in the pigment of the skin, which is 

 indicative of rich golden color in the milk. This is very pronounced 

 in the Guernsey and held by her to the greatest extent under all con- 

 ditions of stabling and feed. The intensity of this trait is more 

 marked in some animals and families than in others, but it should be 

 kept at the highest standard. It is fast being recognized that this 

 color is accompanied by a superior flavor in the milk and thus in the 

 butter. 



DAIRY TEMPERAMENT. 



By " dairy temperament " is meant a strong overruling predispo- 

 sition or tendency to turn the consumption of food towards the pro- 

 duction of milk with a high content of solids, especially butter fat, as 

 against the constitutional tendency so often seen to turn food into 

 flesh. Even in the strongest dairy breeds there are more or less fre- 

 quent out-crops in male and female of the flesh-making temperament. 

 To breed from such animals, while we are striving to establish a pre- 

 potent dairy temperament or tendency is not wise. All cattle bred 

 specifically for dairy purposes should possess a clear and decided 

 dairy temperament, for it is that quality of character we desire most 

 to establish, enlarge and perpetuate in the Guernsey cow. 



This is especially indicated by the shape of the head, showing 

 brain capacity, wide muzzle, open nostril, full bright eyes, feminine 

 neck and a construction of the backbone indicating a strong flow of 

 nerve power and support from the brain to all of the maternal organs. 



CONSTITUTION. 



In breeding our domestic animals, especially for long service like 

 the dairy cow, it is very important that they should have abundant 

 vital power which we call "constitution." But constitution must be 

 judged and measured by the peculiar function the animal is bred to 

 fulfill. With the race horse the function is speed ; with the steer, the 

 laying on of flesh ; with the dairy cow, the production of milk solids. 

 In all these various functions the animal that is to represent any one 

 of them must show not only large capacity in the line of that func- 

 tion but also the ability to endure long and well the strain of such 

 function and keep in good health. Constitution is best indicated by 

 a full development at the navel and strong abdominal walls, showing 

 that the animal when in a prenatal state was abundantly nourished by 

 the mother through a well developed umbilical cord. 



PREPOTENCY. 



In the scale for bulls, for the first time, we believe, in the history 

 of dairy breeds, this point is introduced. The reason we have 

 included it is that " prepotency " is the chief consideration in the 

 selection of all male breeding animals. The pedigree and conforma- 

 tion is often all that can be desired, but because the bull is lacking in 

 prepotent breeding power he is an expensive failure. This quality is, 

 in a sense, difficult to perceive or describe, but we know certain ani- 

 mals have it in high degree and others fail of it completely. It is 

 fairly well indicated by vigor of appearance, strong, resolute bearing 

 and abundant nervous energy. We would distinguish this from an 

 ugly disposition. A bull is ugly by the way he is handled rather than 

 by his breeding. What we want is strong, impressive blood. A dull, 

 sluggish spirit and action, we consider it indicative of a lack of true 



