78 Cattle Problems. 



ive power ; for without strong digestive ability no cow — 

 or steer — can be thrifty or easy to keep. Two very essen- 

 tial points in a cow are, therefore, an easy, clean-stepping 

 gait, and a large barrel or body. 



Undoubtedly, gentle and kind treatment has much in- 

 fluence in establishing good temper — the opposite treat- 

 ment causing bad temper ; but whatever its origin, it is of 

 the first importance that a cow— or steer — have, as a most 

 important indication of character, a pleasant, comfo7-table 

 expression of countenance j the pleasant expression indi- 

 cating good temper, while the comfortable phase of ex- 

 pression indicates a thrifty habit of body and strong digest- 

 ive power, showing that such a cow will " pay well for the 

 keeping." 



If any particular breed or family of cows has long been 

 trained to the pail, such training should have developed 

 milk-yielding capacity to a considerable extent, and prob- 

 ably in quantity, according to size, as a rule. But beyond 

 adaptation in growth, which comes from training, breed, 

 per se, has no particular influence on the capacity to 

 yield milk.* 



In selecting cows for milking, the free, easy step, the 

 pleasant and comfortable expression of countenance^ and 

 the round, capacious, form of body, are far more important 

 than the line of descent, or family history. 



In choosing a cow — or heifer — the Yield Mark,"]" Avhich 

 is formed by yield itself, indicates an extent of yield ac- 

 cording to the size of the -mark, without regard to any 

 particular form of this index of yield ; the udder, though 



*The leakage of milk from one or moi-e teats of the udder results from re- 

 laxation and weakness In the elastic bands— (see p. 38)— which, bv contract- 

 ing, close the teat channels, so stopping the flow of milk. From long 

 tension, from the ndder remaining full too long, the calf always emptying it 

 often if allowed to, these eontractive bands become relaxed, ieavint: a small 

 opening through which the milk weeps out or leaks. So practically carrying 

 the udder full of milk too long leads to the leakage from the teats," and cows 

 subject to this weakness should be milked three times a day as the only means 

 of relief. 



tSee Plates I., 11., and V. 



