38 Cattle Problems. 



iiig shown, to give an idea of the extent of the connection 

 between the four quarters of the bag.* The large tubes, 

 or channels in the teats result from the confluent junction 

 of their numerous branches. See Fig. 5. The teat tubes 

 are narrowed at their upper part, just below where the 

 branches begin, by a muscular band which surrounds this 

 part in each teat. 



The cow instinctively contracts or relaxes this band, by 

 which it is shortened or lengthened, thereby holding up 

 or giving down her milk, by contracting or enlarging the 

 channels through which it passes, according as her desire 

 or instinct may influence her to do. The excitement of 

 cows, when milking begins, causes them to contract these 

 bands, but soon they slacken, and the milk flows out freely. 

 If the milking be rapid, all the milk is obtained ; but when 

 milked slowly, many cows contract these bands again, be- 

 ing tired with relaxation, which is not, naturally, long 

 continued, as the calf changes from one teat to another 

 often; the relaxed condition also weakens the bands, if 

 long continued. Slow milking makes much stripping nec- 

 essary, and frequently is a cause of cows shrinking their 

 yield. The quieter and quicker cows of any yield are 

 milked the cleaner will their udders be drained, and the 

 more milk will be obtained. 



The chief reason of cows holding up their milk by the 

 natural contractile power in the bands before noted is, 

 that their instinct, or desire to suckle their progeny, is 

 still strong, which causes them to hesitate — before freely 

 giving down at the demand of a party to whom they have 

 no natural ties. Affection for attendants may be devel- 

 oped by kindness and cultivation, but it can never become 



*In the summer of 1803 one nf our cows luul gavLjot so severrly in the hind 

 quarter of the rijjlit side, that the gland supiiurateii, the disorgilnization ex- 

 tending through Ihe fold of tliu lobe imd slcin to the quarter. An opening be- 

 ing tliuH formed, I pulled out Ure lobe, or gland, ^vllieh was considerably 

 decomposed. The opening healed, and the cow got well and continued to 

 yield from the remaining three quarters. 



