100 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



others in that animal in proportion to its importance. He 

 appreciates that only where perfect harmony prevails and where 

 every organ performs its functions with the least friction can 

 the greatest endurance and stamina be found." The general 

 form of the dairy animal should be spare and angular, Jt does 

 not necessarily follow that all good dairy cows conform to this 

 type, but as a rule the best producing animals are of this form. 

 The general appearance should indicate looseness, that is, joints 

 loose, vertebrae and ribs far apart. There is no objection when 

 a cow is dry that she should lay on a reasonable amount of fat, 

 in fact, I believe it is an indication of a strong constitution. But, 

 when the animal is laboring she should tend toward the lean 

 type rather than to fleshy. The conformation of the dairy cow 

 should be symetrical, the four active systems, the nervous, circu- 

 latory, digestive, and milk secreting, should bare proper rela- 

 tionship and be in proportion, all of which reveal a strong con- 

 stitution. 



Head, Eyes, Face, Muzzle and Jaws. 



The head should be feminine, yet strong, which shows 

 constitution. The forehead wide between the eyes, which shows 

 intelligence and nerve force. The eyes full and prominent, not 

 too quick or too open, but calm and bright. The face should be 

 medium length and slightly dishing, also free from flesh. Muz- 

 zle broad, which indicates a good feeder, the nostrils large and 

 open so that the lungs may be abundantly supplied with air. 

 It has been said that the head is a mirror reflecting all that goes 

 to make up the animal. 



Neck. 



The neck should be thin and carrying the head not too high. 

 or too low. The head if carried too high indicates an excitable 

 disposition, as Professor Haecker says, " Somewhat inclined to 

 be rattle-bended and easily confused " ; if carried too l:>w it 



