ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 1<»1 



indicates stubborn, restive, pugnacious disposition. The neck 

 of the dairy cow should be quite opposite to that of the beef 

 animal, whose neck is thick, full and heavy. The neck should 

 not be too long or too thin, in other words not out of proportion 



with the rest of the animal's body. The manner in which the 

 neck is attached to the head, by blending gracefully, indicates 

 good breeding. 



Body. 



The body should be long, deep and wide, for a large body 

 indicates a large digestive tract which is an important factor of 

 milk production. The body should also be large to give ample 

 space for the lungs to perform their functions, which is to purify 

 the blood. The amount of room occupied by the lungs is noted 

 by the depth and width of the thorax, fullness of the heart girth, 

 and thickness of abdominal wall. The back bone should be 

 nearly straight, prominent and strong, for through it and under 

 it run two important systems of the body, the nervous and cir- 

 culatory. The ribs should be long, strong and wide apart, which 

 give ample storage capacity for food. A good distance from hip 

 bones to first ribs also indicates a good feeder. 



Front and Hind Quarters. 



The front and hind quarters of the animal should be spar- 

 ingly covered with flesh, light in the shin and withers. The pel- 

 vic arch should be prominent. From the hip points to the tail 

 head there should be a hollow due from the absence of flesh. 

 This is especially true among heavy milkers when they are well 

 along in the period of lactation. 



Hip and Pin Bones. 



The hip bones should be prominent, sharp and wide apart, 

 which gives plenty of room for the reproductive organs. The 

 pin bones should he prominent, sharp and far enough apart to 

 permit the calf to pass through with ease at the time of birth. 



