114 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



winter and are well cared for during the winter period go on 

 pasture at the time when they would naturally be drying up, 

 and this lengthens the milking period and increases the annual 

 yield of butter. The farmer has more time to milk cows in 

 winter. The climate is more favorable in winter where good 

 shelter is available. 



Selection of the Dairy Cow. 



No amount of skill and feeding will enable a feeder to get 

 profitable results from a really poor type of cow. A good dairy 

 cow is one with a large capacity for using food and one that 

 uses this food economically for producing milk. It matters lit- 

 tle to what breed this cow belongs, but it is extremely important 

 that she is a good individual. The essential points of a good 

 dairy cow are indications of constitutional vigor, good capacity, 

 development of the nervous system, good blood circulation and 

 the ability to produce milk abundantly. 



1. Constitutio7i. Well distended nostrils and good heart 

 girth, due to breadth and depth of chest, are the best indications 

 of that quality of health and vigor commonly referred to as con- 

 stitution. 



2. Food Capacity. Great length from shoulder to hip 

 bones, together with great width and depth of barrel, indicates 

 well developed digestive organs, which enable the cow to con- 

 sume and digest large quantities of food. 



3. Nervous System, or Kerous Temperament. A good 

 dairy cow is active and intelligent. Large, bright eyes, set 

 rather far apart, a broad, well-dished face, and a spare and angu- 

 lar form are good indications of nervous temperament. 



4. Blood Circtilatiou. A good circulatory system is nec- 

 essary to carry the digested food from the abdominal regions to 

 the udder. The milk veins should be large, tortuous, and branch- 

 ing, entering as many large milk wells as possible. 



