HOW TO SELECT COWS TEXT

judge of the value and quantities of a cow correctly? Is this a system that will tell me the points of a cow, good or bad, more correctly than by any other method? Let the candid inquirer weigh these statements, and think if he knows of any method by which he can go into a herd and surely pick out the best cows, and leave the poor ones to those who judge not by this system. Every farmer has his own mode of judging, but take the shrewdest and most practiced, can he avoid often the bastards? What the commission find they can do, is that in a large majority of the percentage of cases, they will give a good estimate of the qualities of any animal. Their opinions of the time a cow will go, is based upon what they think should be the treatment of all cows, viz.: that every cow should have a rest of from four to six weeks, at least. [Illustration: JERSEY COW NIOBE, H. R. 99.—Owned by Samuel J. Sharpless, Philadelphia. Was awarded First Prize as the BEST Cow at the Centennial, 1876.] The Commission at Barney’s Farm. The members of the Guenon commission, visited the farm of John B. Barney, on the 9th of May, 1878, and examined twelve cows, mostly Grade Durhams, Grade Jerseys, and farm stock, and they were uniformly successful in judging of said stock, with some difference of opinion on two of them. “I was present at the examination of twelve cows of my herd, and think the committee were so uniformly successful in judging of the merits of the different cows, with such slight variations of opinion between us, as to increase my belief in the Guenon system being of great advantage to the farmers in selecting stock. JOHN B. BARNEY. _Chadd’s Ford, Chester county_.” _May 16, 1878._ The Commission at Sharpless’ Farm. The commission visited the fine farm and herd of Jersey cows of Samuel J. Sharpless, at Street Road station, West Chester railroad, May 10. Present. Messrs. Harvey, Blight, Hazard, and Thomas J. Edge. SAM’L J. SHARPLESS’ HERD OF |SAM’L J. SHARPLESS’ HERD AS JERSEYS, AS REPORTED BY E. J. | REPORTED UPON BY GUENON DURNALL, HERDSMAN FOR S. J. S.,| COMMISSION OF THE STATE, MAY 10, 1878. | MAY 10, 1878. | _No. 1._—Seven years. |_No. 1._—Curveline cow, second order. Quantity, about 12 quarts | Quantity, if 14 quarts, doing well. a day. | Quality, medium. | Quality, good. Milks about 10 months. | Will milk ten months out of twelve. | _No. 2._—Thirteen years. |_No. 2._—Flanders cow, third order. Quantity, best. Gives 24 quarts| Quantity, 16 quarts first three 3 months after calving. | months. Quality, second rate. Has made | Quality, third rate. 11¼ pounds in a week. | Milks full up to time, except | Dry two months. when she had twin calves. | | _No. 3._—Eleven years. |_No. 3._—Flanders cow, third order. Quantity, medium. | Quantity, 12 quarts; three months. Quality, best. | Quality, very good and rich. Would go to her time. | Dry six weeks. | _No. 4._—Eight years. |_No. 4._—Flanders cow, second order. Quantity, medium. | Quantity, 14 quarts. Quality, good; makes about 10 | Quality, very fine. pounds. | Up to her time. | Well up to her time. | _No. 5._—Imported. Eleven years. |_No. 5._—Selvage cow, first order. Quantity, about 17 to 18 | Quantity, best; about 18 quarts. quarts a day. | Quality, best; makes 11 pounds | Quality, no question. per week. | Up to her time. | Milks up to her time. | _No. 6._—Ten years. |_No. 6._—Flanders cow, first order. Quantity, second rate. | Superior milker. Quality, medium. | Quality, second class. About two months short of her | Milks up to her time; say six weeks. time. | | _No. 7._—Two years old. Had only |_No. 7._—Curveline cow, second order. first calf. | Quantity, medium. | Quantity, medium. Quality, good. | Quality, too young for quality; say | good. Not fairly tested for time. | Time, too young for test. | _No. 8._—Four years. |_No. 8._—Selvage cow, second order. Quantity, medium. | Quantity, medium. Quality, first class. | Quality, good. Up to calving. | Up to her time; say six weeks. | _No. 9._—From Niobe Third. Three |_No. 9._—Flanders cow, second order. years. | Quantity, first rate. | Quantity, first class. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first class. Up to her time. | Well up to her time. | _No. 10._—Imported. Four years. |_No. 10._—Decided to pass her. Had first calf at Centennial,| in October, and made in seven| days, 9 pounds 10 ounces. | Quantity, about 16 quarts. | Quality, excellent. | Up to time. Has been milking | two years. | | _No. 11._—Ten years. |_No. 11._—Horizontal cow. Quantity, second highest of | Quantity, first-class. herd; best. | Quality, second class. Makes | Quality, inferior. about 10 pounds. | Full up to her time. | Milk up to eight months. | _No. 12._—Four years. |_No. 12._—Flanders cow, third order. Quantity, second rate. | Quantity, light. Quality, second rate; about 7 | Quality, third class. pounds. | Milks to three months of her | Three months short of her time. time. | | _No. 13._—Six years. |_No. 13._—Flanders cow, number two | order. Quantity, number one. | Quantity, second class. Quality, number one. | Quality, first class. Full up to time. | Up to her time. At seven months from calf | gives 16 quarts. | | _No. 14._—Five years. |_No. 14._—Flanders cow, first order. Quantity, promises fair. | Quantity, good. Quality, good. | Quality, fair. | Within a month of her time. | _No. 15._—Four years. Of Niobe |_No. 15._—Flanders cow, second order. stock, the poorest. | Quantity, third rate; 6 quarts.| Quantity, about 12 quarts. Quality, good; second rate. | Quality, not very fine. Up to her time. | Dropped her calf. | | _No. 16._—Quantity, number one. |_No. 16._—Selvage cow, first order. Quality, number one. | First class every way. Up to her time. | | _No. 17._—First calf. |_No. 17._—Flanders cow, second order. Quantity, number one. | Quantity and quality, fair. Quality, number one. | The commission and Mr. Durnall agree as to the best cow, selected from the first six on this list—on the one side by the marks, and on the other from his knowledge. “Having compared the annexed account of the qualities of the seventeen cows of my herd, examined by the State Guenon Commission, with the originals of the accounts as given by both parties at separate times, and taken down upon the spot, I believe it to be a true and faithful transcript of the original record of the examination. SAMUEL J. SHARPLESS.” PHILADELPHIA, _May 20, 1878_. “I was present at the examination of Mr. Sharpless’ herd of Jerseys, made on the 10th of May by the State Guenon Commission, and having examined the accounts of the herd given by me, as hereto annexed, with the original entries of those given by me, and also the accounts of the commission, with the original written opinions, do certify that the annexed are faithful transcripts of the records made by each party at separate times, and that the statements were unknown to each other. E. J. DURNALL, _Herdsman for Samuel J. Sharpless_.” LENAPE FARM, _May 20, 1878_. The Commission at Strode’s Farm. The members of the Guenon Commission visited the dairy farm of Marshall Strode & Son, who have a large butter factory, and are celebrated for their first-class butter, and they examined seventeen head of grade dairy stock, and according to the testimony of Mr. Strode, who accompanied them in their examination, were successful in judging according to the Guenon system, fifteen cows out of seventeen examined. Viewed May 10. Present, Messrs. Harvey, Blight, Hazard, and Edge. “Having been present when the members of the Guenon Commission examined seventeen of our herd, and having witnessed the accuracy with which they determined the quality of the stock inspected, we bear testimony to the fact that their judgment was correct, according to our experience with the cows, in fifteen cases out of seventeen, and even in these two they were partially successful. And we are more confirmed in our previous belief in the value of the system, as we never buy a cow for a good one that is not well marked. We run a dairy of seventy-one cows. Yours truly, MARSHALL STRODE & SONS.” EAST BRADFORD, _May 15, 1878_. Examination of Thomas M. Harvey’s Stock of Jerseys and Guernseys, May 11, 1878. In this examination two cows which had already been examined and reported upon by the commission were, without their knowledge, afterwards brought up for another examination, in which their opinion as recorded, agreed almost exactly with the one previously recorded, thus affording a strong proof of the value of the system. See reports of No. 1, Betsy, and Nos. 4 and 20, Beauty. (Secretary of Board of Agriculture.) This herd is one of the finest in the State. The cows are kept in good condition, and being well fed, the yield is very large per head. Their product is first class butter, and should bring the highest price in the market. The commission examined, in addition to the twenty-five cows on this list, Mr. Harvey’s Guernsey imported bull “Sir Champion,” which is thoroughly well marked; perhaps, the best marked bull in the country. The value of his get is, therefore, very decided. It shows most conclusively the importance of a bull from good milking stock, and that he should have a good escutcheon. The importance of a good sire to stamp his qualities upon his descendants was conclusively proved by Mr. Harvey’s younger stock. The commission examined a young bull of seven months age, which was as perfectly and beautifully marked as his sire, and as nearly the same shape escutcheon as his sire’s as could possibly be. Mr. Harvey has since sold him for $100, to Colonel R. M. Hoe. [Illustration: Escutcheon of Imported Guernsey Bull “Sir Champion.”] Nos. 9½ and 9¾ prove also the gain to a herd from a well marked bull. These were yearlings of Champion’s get. No. 9½ was a great improvement upon the mother, No. 9, Carrie, of this list. In the statements of the commission as to quantity, they have not mentioned the number of quarts, as the amounts given by most of this herd are superior to the generality, even of Guernseys; and, owing to good selection and careful handling by their owner, the commission judge that the number of quarts would be larger than usual. STOCK OF THOMAS M. HARVEY. |STOCK OF THOMAS M. HARVEY. OPINION THOMAS M. HARVEY’S STATEMENT. | OF THE GUENON COMMISSION. | _No. 1._—BETSEY. |_No. 1._—BETSEY.—Jersey. Curveline, | No. 1. Quality, medium. | Quality, first rate. Quantity, 17 quarts. | Quantity, first rate. Never dry. | Time of milking; up to her time. | Second examination confirmed. | _No. 2._—NANCY. |_No. 2._—NANCY.—Guernsey. Flanders | No. 2. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first rate. Quantity, 16 quarts. | Quantity, first rate. Will milk up to calving. | Six weeks. | _No. 3._—CLAUDE. |_No. 3._—CLAUDE.—Guernsey. Curveline, | 3d. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first-class for rich milk. Quantity, at first, 18 quarts; | Quantity, not large. but at six months, 8 quarts. | Not inclined to go dry | Dry three months. altogether. | | _No. 4._—BEAUTY.—(Worth.) |_No. 4._—BEAUTY.—(Worth.) Curveline, | 1st. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first class. Quantity, 20 quarts. | Quantity, large. Almost impossible to dry off. | Close to time. | Rëexamined—See report No. 20. | _No. 5._—ZILLA. |_No. 5._—ZILLA.—Guernsey grade. | Imperfect Selvage of low order. | Irregularly marked. Quality, medium.* | Quantity, 18 quarts. | Never dry. | Will milk well for few months only. | A good shaped cow. | _No. 6._—CHERRY. |_No. 6._—CHERRY.—Half Jersey. Quality, good. | Good milk. Quantity, 24 quarts. | Milks profusely, and keeps herself Will milk on. | thin on account of it. | _No. 7._—ECHO. |_No. 7._—ECHO.—Grade, Jersey. Selvage, | 2d. Quality, medium. | Quality, medium. Quantity, 20 quarts. | Quantity, medium. Does not go dry. | Milks up pretty well. | _No. 8._—MINNA.—Guernsey. |_No. 8._—MINNA.—Guernsey. Curveline, | 2d. Quality, first rate. | Quality, good. Quantity, 17 quarts. | Quantity, good milker until within Not inclined to dry. | two months of calving. | _No. 9._—CARRIE. |_No. 9._—CARRIE.—Strangely and | imperfectly marked. Quality, first rate. | Quality, good. Quantity, 10 quarts. | Quantity, poor. Will go dry two months. | Dry up soon. | _No. 10._—GENTLE.—Jersey. |_No. 10._—GENTLE.—Jersey. Selvage, 1. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first rate. Quantity, 20 quarts. | Quantity, large Dry two months. | Dry six weeks. | _No. 11._—MARY.—Grade, Durham. |_No. 11._—MARY.—Grade, Durham. | Flanders, 1. Quality, medium. | Quality, first class. Quantity, 18 quarts. | Quantity, good. Dry two months. | Dry six weeks. | _No. 12._—EUGENIE.—Jersey. |_No. 12._—EUGENIE.—Jersey. Curveline, | 2d. Quality, medium.* | Quality, first rate. Quantity, 18 quarts. | Quantity, large. Does not dry. | Dry two months. | _No. 13._—VICTORIA.—Guernsey. |_No. 13._—VICTORIA.—Guernsey. Selvage. Quality, medium.* | Quality, medium. Quantity, 20 quarts. | Quantity, good while she milks. No drying. | Dry two months. | _No. 14._—JENNIE. |_No. 14._—JENNIE. Ordinary stock. Quality, good. | Quality, not very rich, but good. Quantity, 20 quarts. | Quantity, good. One month dry. | Dry two months. | _No. 15._—MAGGIE, 2d.—Young. |_No. 15._—MAGGIE, 2d.—Guernsey. | Flanders, 3d. Quality, medium.* | Quality, very good. Quantity, 10 quarts. | Quantity, medium and continuous. Dry two months. | Dry two months. | _No. 16._—ROCKET. |_No. 16._—ROCKET.—Grade, Jersey. | Curveline, 2d. Quality, medium. | Quality, rich. Quantity, 15, 20, to 25 quarts;| Quantity, good. variable. | Dry three months. | Dry two months. | _No. 17._—AMY. |_No. 17._—AMY.—Kentucky Short-Horn. Quality, good.* | Quality, medium. Quantity, 14 quarts. | Quantity, poor. Ten weeks dry. | Dry three months. | _No. 18._—COMLY. |_No. 18._—COMLY.—Guernsey. Selvage, 3d. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first rate. Quantity, 15 quarts. | Quantity, good and continuous. Dry two months. | Dry six weeks. | _No. 19._—KITTY. |_No. 19._—KITTY.—Guernsey and Jersey | grades. Bicorn, 2d. Quality, first rate. | Quality, first class. Quantity, 16 quarts. | Quantity, first class. Dry six weeks. | Milks well up. | _No. 20._—BEAUTY. |_No. 20._—BEAUTY.—Guernsey. Curveline, | 1st. | Quality, first class. | Quantity, first class. Milks well up. Second examination. | This is the second examination. See No. 4. | See No. 4. | _No. 21._—ROSETTA.—Guernsey, |_No. 21._—ROSETTA.—Guernsey, imported. imported. | Flanders. Quality, first rate.* | Quality, excellent. Quantity, 18 quarts. | Quantity, fair milker. Does not go dry. | Dry two months. | _No. 22._—DUCHESS.—Guernsey. |_No. 22._—DUCHESS.—Guernsey, imported.