CHAPTER VIII 



CHOOSING CATTLE — JUDGING 



In the choice of a cow, one must cultivate the same general 

 faculties as in the choosing of a horse. Familiarity with what 

 is wanted, powers of observation, and good judgment are 

 equally as important in the choice of a cow as in that of any 

 other animal. These can be gained only by study and prac- 

 tice. The importance of these faculties cannot be overesti- 

 mated in the choice of a cow, either for the dairy or for beef. 



TYPES OF CATTLE 



There are two distinct types of cattle : first, the dairy type, 

 adapted to the production of milk ; and second, the beef type, 

 employed for the production of beef. These types are con- 

 trolled by the demands made on the body of the animal. 

 For example, in milk production the udder is perhaps as im- 

 portant an organ as any, whereas in beef production it is needed 

 only to sustain the young. Again, in the case of beef pro- 

 duction it is very important that the animal take on flesh and 

 that the body be plump and full, whereas in the production of 

 milk this would be considered an objection, as the food should 

 go to the production of milk and not to fat. These two 

 types are of necessity widely different and one can no more 

 have maximum milk production and maximum beef produc- 

 tion in the same cow than he can have maximuni speed and 

 maximum force in the same horse, or in the same machine. 



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