VAN PELT'S COW DEMONSTRATION 



feeding. Even though there is a short time each year when 

 the cow gives little or no milk, she must maintain her own 

 body and nourish the offspring with which she is soon to 

 present her owner. These functions establish an additional 

 demand upon her to consume heavily of food at this time, 

 for she must build up the tissues of her own body and that 

 of the unborn calf so she may freshen strong and in good 

 condition for the next year's butter-producing campaign in 

 which she must make good. 



Large Mouth Indicates a Good Feeder 



So well do experienced feeders of all classes of farm 

 animals realize that the animal with the large mouth is a 

 good feeder that this qualification has come to be one of the 

 recognized indications of capacity. The animal with a small, 

 pointed mouth and a small muzzle is always difficult to feed, 

 being dainty and indifferent to eft'orts to tempt its appetite. 

 Associated with the small mouth is a corresponding smallness 

 of nostril, a detraction from the desired facial features. 



Thorough mastication of the food is very necessary, for 

 it is not only the action of grinding the food but it is during 

 mastication that the first process of digestion takes place. 

 It is when the cow chews her cud that the saliva secreted 

 by glands entering the mouth is mixed with the food, changing 

 starches to sugar and beginning the many chemical changes 

 that take place before the food can be assimilated. For these 

 reasons strong jaws of well defined width and depth are de- 

 sirable. Weakness in these parts indicates poor feeding qual- 

 ities to quite as great an extent as does a small mouth and 

 is to be guarded against. 



A careful study of the different processes and the many 

 organs involved in digesting the food after it has left the 

 mouth, as well as a consideration of the great amount of food 

 nutrients necessary for the maintenance of the animal and 

 for great milk production, points to the significance of an 

 adequate and roomy space where the foods may be stored 

 and digestion carried on. 



Large Barrel 



This entails a large barrel, one that is long, broad and 

 deep. These specifications are insured by length from the 

 shoulder to the hip bone — broad, flat, well sprung, deep ribs. 



On the other hand, it often occurs that close-coupled 

 cows, those with short bodies that are broad and deep, are 

 excellent feeders and good producers, and if there is to be 

 any sacrifice made in the dimensions of the barrel it is better 



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