29G 
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD MILCH COW. 
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD MILCH COW. 
By J. H. Mague. 
Translated by Mr. Huxton . 
BREED AND DESCENT. 
1. Breech — We find good milkers in all breeds, but they are 
rare in some, and very common in others. It could not be 
otherwise. Milking properties, depending on the conditions 
which determine the formation of the breeds, are due partly 
to the climate, the soil, the air, and the plants of the countries 
where the breeds have originated ; and must, therefore, vary 
in our different breeds of horned cattle with the hygienic 
conditions peculiar to each locality. 
Milkers, and more especially animals intended for breeding, 
must always be selected among breeds celebrated for abun- 
dance of milk. Not that we can hope to import into our 
departments, with a dry and warm climate, all the qualities 
of the excellent milking breeds possessed by countries in 
which the soil is fertile, the air moist, and the sky cloudy ; 
but, as the influence of climate, though very marked, take 
effect only in the long-run, the properties of the animals 
imported are maintained — though subject, doubtless, to 
gradual deterioration — during a period which varies with the 
precautions taken to preserve them ; and for several genera- 
tions the descendants of the individuals of a good imported 
breed give more milk than individuals belonging to a breed 
formed on the spot, when hygienic circumstances are not 
favorable to milking properties. 
It is not to be forgotten, moreover, that under the influence 
of particular circumstances, which it is sometimes impossible 
to call into existence, animals manifest properties which we 
cannot produce directly. This explains why it is often more 
advantageous to import qualities possessed by foreign stock, 
than to try to develop them in native stock. 
Here we deem it sufficient to observe, that good milking 
breeds are distinguished by a soft and supple skin, and by 
tissues rather relaxed than rigid; are not hardy or fit to bear 
fatigue (sweating easily, and falling rapidly off when put to 
work) ; are difficult to keep, seldom fat, and have often little 
flesh on the buttocks. 
2. Descent . — As milking qualities are, in a great measure, 
dependent on structure and temperament, which are more or 
less hereditary, descent exercises a great influence. 
In each breed, therefore, we should choose individuals 
belonging to the best stocks, and the offspring of parents 
