Observations on the foregoing Paper. 
489 
purpose without the necessary milkino: characteristics should 
be fatted off as soon as possil)le, as such an one should seldom, 
if ever, be kept for breeding purposes. I think, too, that 
young dairy animals should not be let to run on beyond two 
and a half years old, without producing a calf, as I am of 
opinion that if they are left longer, their milking propensities 
suffer. The animal will become grosser, and a tendency to 
form flesh will be set up in the system in proportion to the 
length of time that the demand for producing milk is neglected. 
1 think all young dairy animals should be kept in good store 
condition only, as it is doubtless an easy matter to spoil a 
young cow for dairy purposes by too liberal treatment, how- 
ever well her markings are developed in early life. In evi- 
dence of this we have the experience of many Shorthorn 
men, who bred for thick backs and very large muscular thighs, 
at the expense of the milk. 
The perfection of milking characteristics, to my taste, is an 
animal with a fine escutcheon, with rather thin thighs, giving 
plenty of room for the bag to extend itself when necessary ; the 
udder, of course, should be deep and broad, extending well 
forward, with four well-placed teats of medium size, and with 
the skin of the udder as elastic as a kid glove. Then with a cow 
of good constitution, a well-formed body, on four good legs 
set outside of her, with a rather fine long head set on a thin 
neck, with silky hair (if it is a little long so much the better in 
this changeable climate), covering a rich elastic skin, I think 
you may expect pretty good results in the dairy. The 
horns should be fine and well placed in the head, curving 
rather inwards than otherwise, and the back should be straight, 
with a rather long tail starting from the body at right angles 
with the back, if you want a handsome animal ; and of course 
it is desirable to attain as many points as possible. Beauty 
must be admitted in judging for competitions, although it is 
not an essential characteristic for the dairy ; and consequently a 
pretty animal may sometimes properly be dispensed with when 
brought into contact with a neighbour who surpasses her in 
usefulness, although lacking some of her good looks. The cow 
should be able to move well, and possess an appetite that will 
enable her to support her constitution when she is making a 
liberal return to her owner, who is treating her well. 
Yours very truly 
March Zrd,lQ%5, G. W. BaKEE. 
H. M. Jenkin-s, Esq., 
12, Hanover Square, 
London, W. 
VOL. XXI. — S. S. 2 K 
