278 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



the points of the shoulders and the withers above enclosed 

 in straight lines, the outline would be of wedge-like form. 

 Or, if one will stand close to the shoulder and look down, 

 he will note this same wedge in the combination of withers 

 and front ribs. Third, another wedge vn&j be obtained by 



standing b eh. in d 

 the cow and view- 

 ing the top of the 

 back. In this case 

 the point of the 

 wedge is at the 

 withers, and its 

 widest part the 

 space between the 

 points of the hips. 

 The fact is, the en- 

 tire body suggests 

 a wedge in the 

 widening from 

 front to hindquar- 

 ters. Gay has sug- 

 gested " a fourth 

 wedge, with the 

 rump for the fca^e, 

 and the light 

 thighs, "concave 

 from both side and 

 rear view," forming lines inclining downward and in- 

 ward, wedge-like. These various suggested wedges, sim- 

 ply emphasize two features of the dairy cow, a 

 lean, muscular condition, and an angular conforma- 

 tion. This wedge form is merely relative, having the 

 beef form for comparison. The true dairy cow is lean and 

 angular, therefore, she is wedge-shaped, a conformation as- 

 sociated with milk production. The true beef cow is fleshy 

 and smooth of outline, therefore, her form approaches a 



Fig. 152. — "It will be notecl that, were the 

 space between the points of the shoulders anrl 

 the withers above enclosed in straight lines, 

 the outline would be of wedge-lilie form." 



"The Principles and Practice of Judging .Tjlve Stock, 1914, p. 204. 



