I»2 



JUDGING CATTLE 



spinal cord, the main line of the nervous system from the 

 brain to different extremities of the body. The backbone 

 should be open-jointed, as would be expected if the ribs were 

 well spaced. The loin should also be large and roomy, and 

 all these parts should be free from fattening tendencies. 



Hindquarters. — Liberal development of the hindquar- 

 ters of the cow is essential. The hip points should be far 



apart and prominent, 

 the rump should 

 be long, wide and 

 level, with the pin 

 bones far apart. A 

 short drooping rump 

 is a serious objec- 

 tion in the dairy cow. 

 The setting and 

 length of the tail 

 are important. The 

 tail should be set 

 high, and it should 

 reach at least to the 

 hocks. It should be 

 thin, and is one of the indications of quality. The thighs 

 should be thin and curving on the inside to give plenty 

 of room for udder development. 



The escutcheon is that part of the cow's udder and the 

 space above it marked by the hair growing upward or out- 

 ward instead of downward. It is sometimes called the 

 " milk mirror," and was believed at one time to be an 

 index to the milking qualities of the animal. The ideal 

 escutcheon should be wide and high. There are good 

 milkers with ideal escutcheons and good milkers whose 



Fig. 73. — Large capacity to produce milk. 



