VAN PELT'S COW DEMONSTRATION 



therefore, true that if the size of the spinal processes are an 

 indication of the size and weight of the spinal cord, they like- 

 wise indicate a lack of size and weight of the brain and less 

 intelligence. Judging from this, smaller and mure refined 

 spinal vertebrae would seem to be more desirable as indica- 

 tive of greater brain power and nervous temperament. 



Freedom from Fat 



Prominent hips and ribs that are apparent to the eye, 

 and freedom from beefiness or superfluous fat oxer the entire 

 body are all important indications, for they denote that the 

 nervous temperament has stimulated the cniixersion of the 

 food into milk and butterfat rather than into beef, which 

 would be the case if the animal was endowed with a lym- 

 phatic temperament. 



Add to these points style, activity and freedom of car- 

 riage, alertness and consciousness of all surroundings and 

 you may guarantee that the cow possessing these is a worker. 

 If the other four essential points are present she will, when 

 given an opportunity, be a source of profit to her owner. 



To the great development of nervous temperament pos- 

 sessed by Dairymaid of Pinehurst, whose butter record is 

 1,003 pounds as a three-year-old, her owner attributed to a 

 large degree her marvelous production. 



Not only does she possess all the points referred to, in- 

 dicating that she is a worker, but, see her when you will, and 

 if she is not feeding she is chewing her cud, which is merely 

 the act of masticating and mixing with saliva the food she 

 has gathered and has just found time to chew. So thoroughly 

 does her owner believe nervous temperament or disposition 

 to work continuously is one of the great attributes of a great 

 cow that when he attempts to select a cow for phenomenal 

 production he takes his time after considering other points 

 and sits around and watches the actions of the animal. He 

 learns whether she is a worker or a loafer by noting whether 

 she works or loafs. Perhaps this is one of the valuable 

 lessons Dairymaid has taught. Certainly it is true that the 

 most valuable lessons that can be learned about selecting cows 

 are taught by the cows themselves or by a close comparison 

 of good and poor individuals. 



[39] 



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