74 Cattle Problems. 



which supplies the ingredients for forming large yield. 

 When suitable form of growth is found in cows, with good 

 digestive power, large yield can be obtained by special 

 training ; but when suitable forms of growth do not exist 

 in cows, neither blood relationship with milking families, 

 nor even good training of aged cows, can supply the defi- 

 ciency. 



Of course, good milk cows have suitable forms, and their 

 influence should not be counteracted by adverse forms in 

 bulls ; while good form in the organs and parts specially 

 concerned in large yield, in the cows themselves, is of the 

 first importance ; and these forms, being acquired by the 

 cow originally, are transmitted directly by her with cer- 

 tainty. 



Origin of Milking Families. 



It will not avail to depend on inheritance, from cither 

 side or sex too much, as large milking capacity is de- 

 veloped and established by practical training — together 

 with suitable supplies of food — by careful men and good 

 managers; who in this way i7r/V/;Mi'^ " milking families," 

 with very limited appliances and at little cost, in many in- 

 stances and localities. 



It is a prevalent custom with many small farmers — who 

 are the best practical calf raisers — for example, to select 

 heifers with good natural form and capacity for their size, 

 to begin with, and continue their selections in the female 

 line ; this being continued from two to three, or in some 

 instances, half-a-dozen generations, in scores of localities. 

 In this way it is that " milking families" are formed by 

 persevering care and training, and established by repeated 

 selection and direct inheritance. The popular preference 

 is, however, restricted from necessity; and considering this 

 fact, the success in establishing " milking families," in 

 many places, is remarkable. 



