CHAPTER VI 

 THE COW 



"There is nothing to equal the cow in the production of 

 human food — truly, she is the foster mother of the world." 



^HE breed is of importance, but the individual 

 cow is what really counts. It is not only the 

 herd which must be considered, but each cow in the 

 herd. 



Every dairyman should have a certain minimum 

 yearly milk standard, and if after a second trial 

 the cow does not come up to it, she should be dis^ 

 carded — better a vacant stall than an unprofitable 

 cow filling it. Be sure it is the cow's fault, and 

 not yours, before you part with her. Many a good 

 cow is humiliated because she cannot do her best 

 on the slim allowance of food and water and the 

 indifferent care she gets. 



When buying a cow it is not always possible to 

 find out the actual yield and quality of her milk. 

 In such a case we must look for outward indica- 

 tions that are likely to bespeak good milking 

 ability. 



Some people lay little stress on form and place 

 all the emphasis on the perform. While we agree 

 with them, yet at the same time we believe the 



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