CATTLE, now TO BUT ANT) SELL. 
201 
farmer of Liboume, France, and first reduced to a system in 1822. In 
1828, at a public test and careful examination by the Agricultural Society 
of Bordeaux, the committee made an absolute and exhaustive report, in 
which they used this strong language: “ This system we do not fear to 
say is infallible.” 
The society decreod Mr. Guenon a gold medal, made him a member of 
the society, ordered fifty copies of his work, and distributed one thousand 
copies of their full report among all the agricultural societies of France. 
This system was first made known in the United States, if we remem* 
ber aright, between 1838 and 1840, and has been studied, believed, and 
acted on by many practical men ; yet, curiously enough, it has never 
attracted general attention until within the last few years, since which 
time dairying and the breeding of dairy cows has come to be a regular 
profession. While we should not rely entirely upon the many classes 
and their variations, including a bastard escutcheon to each class, the 
signs as given by the author are most valuable in connection with other 
matters which are given. In the Guenon theory there are twenty-seven 
cuts or diagrams to illustrate his idea, varying from the fullest develop- 
ment in the growth of hair turned upward, to as near nothing, as is ever 
shown in the cow, but all having more or less of this peculiar develop- 
ment of hair on the parts named ; this hair, to indicate a good milker, 
should turn upward, be short, fine and close; the skin easily raised, and 
with peculiar oval marks and scurf spots. 
The True Value of Milk Mirrors. 
So far as we have studied these signs, we have found them while not 
constant marks by which the quality and flow of milk could be accurately 
judged, yet most valuable in connection with other characteristic signs 
and configurations, which we have given for judging accurately what should 
constitute a good dairy cow. We have found it a most valuable aid in 
judging the milking qualities and time of continuance in milk. That in 
itself it does not constitute an infallible test is no proof of its being an 
unsound theory. That it is correct, as a rule, is sufficient to cause it to 
be given careful study and attention. 
We do not hesitate to say that he who will study carefully the illustra- 
tions we give, and the statements made, while ho will find many varyiug 
signs, will not only be convinced of the accuracy of the system, but will 
be able, either in the cow or calf to select with judgment. The milk sign 
also follows in the bulls as we shall show. 
Mr. Charles L. Sharpless, of Pennsylvania, a close observer and good 
