194 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



and inclined to fatten. Hence, for the dairy we desire a cow 

 of nervous temperament, one that is sensitive and active, pos- 

 sessing greatest vitality, and that is capable of giving all organs 

 the greatest producing powers. 



Detail characters of a dairy cow. 



Having considered the general appearance of the dairy cow, 

 we should pass to a more detailed examination of her characters 

 before choosing. In order that none of these characters go 

 unobserved, they should be considered in order. 



The head of a dairy cow should be long, lean, and feminine in 

 appearance. There should be freedom from coarseness and 

 heaviness. The face should be prolonged, lean, and the fea- 

 tures distinct. The poll should be prominent and the forehead 

 broad. The eyes should be mild, bright, and full. The nostrils 

 should be large, permitting of the free passage of air. The ear 

 should be of medium size, fine quality, and of an orange color 

 inside. The horn should be rather small and free from coarse- 

 ness, especially at the base. 



The neck should be rather long, slim, and fine, carrying the 

 head gracefully. There should be freedom from fullness and 

 heaviness. The windpipe should be rather prominent, especially 

 up near the throat. While the neck should have a neat attach- 

 ment at the head and shoulders, yet it should not blend so 

 smoothly as in beef cattle because of the lack of flesh. The 

 animal should not have a " bull neck." 



Fore-quarters. — The shoulders should be prominent, free 

 from beefiness, and rather angular. The withers should be 

 lean, thin, and refined. Both withers and shoulders should be 

 free from meatiness and heaviness. The legs should be straight 

 and short with fine shanks (Fig. 69). 



Body. — The producing powers of the dairy cow depend 

 largely on the depth and volume of the barrel. We have already 

 noted the importance of the digestive, circulatory, and respiratory 



