TAKING REINS IN HAND. 105 



perhaps needless to say, that such minute observation 

 as would alone justify a decision based upon this the- 

 ory, might sometimes prove awkward, and embar- 

 rassing. Upon the whole, I should counsel young 

 farmers in summer clothing, and away from home, 

 to judge of a cow by other indicia. 



Still, the theory of M. Guenon* has its value ; and 

 I am persuaded that he was worthily adjudged the 

 gold medal at the hands of the Agricultural Society 

 of Bordeaux. But with this, and all other aids 

 among which I may name the loose preemptory reflec- 

 tions and suggestions of certain adjoining fanners I 

 was by no means proud of the appearance of the little 

 herd of twelve or 16urteen cows with which opera- 

 tions were to commence. 



The popular belief, that all jockeyism and cheatery 

 is confined to horse dealings, is too limited. Whoever 

 will visit the cow stables in Robinson street, or near 

 to Third avenue, upon a market day, may observe a 

 score or two of animals with painfully distended ud- 

 ders (the poor brutes have not been milked in the last 

 forty-eight hours), throwing appealing glances about 

 the enclosure, and eyeing askance certain bullet-headed 

 calves, which are tied in adjoining stalls, but which 



* The interested agricultural reader may consult " Choix dea 

 Vaches Laitieres, par M. Magne, Paris," for full exhibition of the 

 system. 



5* 



