82 FORM. 



The hair is desired to be soft and woolly, on 

 account of its pi'otectiug power, thus acting as an 

 assistant in economizing the animal heat. It is prob- 

 able, however, that the texture of the hair and its 

 form is affected by the climate to a large extent. We 

 doubt whether the woolly hair found on many ani- 

 mals in humid Scotland can be either retained by an 

 imported animal or transmitted to progeny in the dry 

 climate of America. The softness of the hair is 

 afl'ected by food. The oily, unctuous feel of the hair 

 and skin of the animal fed on linseed meal is veiy 

 perceptible. The functions of the hair are seemingly 

 to protect, and the better it fulfils this purpose, the 

 greater the economy of the animal forces. 



The breeder should desire to form the animal in an 

 atti-active mould. To do this is to extend their intro- 

 duction among those to whom the aesthetic is of value. 

 Tiierefore, fineness of form, as far as is compatible 

 with usefulness, is to be praised. The small horn 

 beautifully curving, the thin ear, the fine tail of good 

 length and well switched, and the color, each and all 

 add value. 



Although red and white, or brown and white, are 

 colors towards which many are partial, yet any color 

 but roan is allowable to the thoroughbred. A stronff 

 mixture of white, as lending style and adding to their 

 picturesqueness, in our opinion is admirable. 



On account of the importance we attach to the 

 presence of the escutcheon on a dairy animal, we 

 have preferred to give the subject a paragraph by 

 itself in this place. 



