JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE 



289 



grade animals may be found valuable producers at wide 

 ranges of size. There are large producers in each breed, from 

 the little Dexter, weighing 500 pounds, up to the Holstein, 

 weighing 1,800. For this reason, size is of minor importance, 

 if producing capacity and proper conformation exist. 



The general form of the dairy cow should be somewhat 

 wedge-shaped, often referred to as the "triple wedge." This 

 shape really means a narrowness in front and heaviness be- 



Figure 118. — Jersey bull, Fontaines Raleigh. Photograph from the owner, 

 C. I. Hudson of New York. 



hind. As one looks at a typical dairy cow from one side, 

 the front part seems less deep than that behind. If a stick 

 of ample length were laid along the back, and another were 

 placed in a similar position against the under side of the 

 body, they would meet at a common point in front, if suf- 

 ficiently extended. Thus we see one of the wedge features. 

 If one stands in front and looks towards the rear of the ani- 

 mal, it will be noticed that the thickness through the front 

 quarter at the shoulder is less than that of the hind quarter 



