366 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



have certain positive marks which indicate their high milking 

 quahties, with a considerable degree of certainty. This is no 

 small advantage in their possession. It is certain that we are 

 less liable to be mistaken in their selection, than in cows to which 

 no such distinctive marks attach. 



As we have elsewhere said, no one breed is equally fitted for 

 all localities. Therefore, the dairyman, or he who keeps but one 

 or two family cows, should know from observation, if not by 

 experience, the best variety for his use, and adopt it. Yet, all 

 good milkers show certain indications of possessing that quaUty, 

 and we shall speak of those indications only, leaving it to the 

 dairyman to make his ovfn proper selection of breeds. 



We are in the possession of a little book, published in Edin- 

 burgh, Scotland, in the year 1843, entitled, "How to Choose a 

 Good Milk Cow," by a French author, J. H. Magne, Professor 

 of the Veterinary School, Alfort, with a supplement, containing, 

 "Hints for Selecting," by John Haxton. It is so applicable to 

 our purpose that we shall offer no apology for presenting extracts 

 from it — although it may partially repeat what we have already 

 written — as being better than anything which we can offer wholly 

 from our own pen : 



GENERAL MARKS. BREED. 



"We find good milkers in all breeds, but they are rare in 

 some, and very common in others. It could not be otherwise. 

 Milking properties, depending on the conditions which determine 

 the formation of breeds, are due partly to the climate, the soil, 

 the air, and the plants of the countries where the breeds have 

 originated ; and must, therefore, vary in our different breeds of 

 horned cattle, with the hygienic conditions peculiar to each 

 locality. 



"Milkers, and more especially animals intended for breeding, 

 must be selected among breeds celebrated for abundance of milk. 

 Not that we can hope to import into our deoartmcnt, with a 



