HOW TO SELECT COWS TEXT

former to one bushel of the latter. Her yield the first day was sixteen quarts, the second day fifteen and a half quarts, the third day sixteen quarts, and the next morning eight quarts; being in all seven milkings, or half the week. Her milk was kept separate; was skimmed after standing thirty-six hours, and made six and three fourths pounds of butter, or thirteen and a half pounds for the week. “As you place Rosa and Duchess side by side there are some points of agreement and of difference that are of interest to notice. They are both wedge-shaped, with large body—Duchess the more bony, but Rosa with the greater rear volume, (broader hips, &c.) They both have neat heads and necks, and fine bone. Duchess is, in winter, smoke-color, with brilliant white, but not with black points. She has yellow hoofs and skin, and her udder is rich yellow. Rosa has yellow hoofs, and yellow inside her ears, but a pale skin and udder, and would be called a butter cow inferior to Duchess, and yet she has just proved herself one half pound greater. The color of it is the deepest—no coloring matter being used. This upsets the theory that a yellow skin is essential for deep-colored butter. Perhaps a safer way to put it is, that though a rich yellow skin is evidence of butter quality, yet equally good quality may come from a pale skin, provided the cow has yellow inside her ears. “Again, as to vertical or rear escutcheons both these cows exhibit, the broad part diminishes as it rises, until, when within six to nine inches of the vulva, it is reduced to the breadth of not over an inch wide. Thus they agree in their rear escutcheons, and they agree also in udders of great capacity, these being deep and broad, and running well forward under the body. “There is a point on which they differ. The hair on Duchess is soft and furry as a mole; that of Rosa is fairly fine, but still hair. “So that in a word one can say soft hair, a large escutcheon, and a yellow skin are desirable, but there may be choice cows not conspicuous, for either. “To show how we sometimes let our best animals slip, I will add that when Rosa was a heifer I was tempted to part with her for what seemed a great price—$500. In about two weeks she had a heifer calf, for which her owner was offered $150. When three years old she had a second heifer, which he sold for $180; and when four years old she had a third heifer calf, which he sold for $100. He then sold his place and all his stock, and I bought her at public sale for $375 for her beauty. Her pale skin deceived me as to her butter quality, and her, as I thought, deficient escutcheon misled me as to her large yield. She now, as a five-year old, has her fourth calf, which is a bull, and some two months old. “In giving above her yield, I gave also her feed. Such is her constitution and appetite that I think she would have eaten half as much more, and in that way her yield might have been very much increased. It was good enough as it was, particularly as there have been choice cows so forced that, though the premium was won, the cow was lost. The winter yield, on dry feed, of sixteen quarts is considered equivalent to eighteen on grass.” [Illustration: ROSA.—Imported Jersey, belonging to C. L. Sharpless.] DESCRIPTION OF THE CLASSES AND ORDERS. Prepared by W. P. HAZARD, _Secretary of the Pennsylvania Guenon Commission_. In the following descriptions of the ten classes, and their sub-division into six orders each, we give the quantity as stated, for a large-sized cow. Not thinking it worth while to enter so minutely into his sub-divisions of high, medium, and low cows. For instance, to class one, order one, he gives to the high cow twenty-four litres, which is about equal to our twenty-four quarts here; the litre being exactly two and one eighth wine pints. To the medium cow he gives nineteen quarts, and to the low cow, fourteen quarts, per day. The size of his high cow is five hundred and fifty to six hundred and fifty pounds, _dressed weight_; the medium, three hundred and twenty-five to four hundred and fifty pounds and the low, one hundred and ten to two hundred and twenty-five pounds. As most of our cows will range with the high cows, we have adopted the scale suitable to the size, only the reader who practices the system must keep in mind that the larger and more developed the cow, the more she will be likely to give than the cow of smaller size. First Class. The Flanders Cow. Cows with this escutcheon are the most seldom found, except among the most abundant milkers. In the first order they give twenty quarts per day, in the height of their flow; that is to say, from the time they have calved until they are pregnant again. Then they diminish, little by little, until their next calving. It is best to dry them off from four to six weeks before calving, to give them a needed rest, and it improves the calf. [Illustration] Cows of the first class have a soft udder, with fine hair on it, rising until it blends with similar hair growing upward on the thighs, above the hock, and widening on the thick part of the thigh, then narrowing, like in the engraving, until it reaches the vulva, and being about two inches on each side of it. The inner parts of the thigh, and the vertical mirror are usually of a yellowish or nankeen color, with dark spots on them, from which can be detached the dandruff. There are two ovals on the udder, of fine short hair. [Illustration] The second order of the first class are similar to the first, but the escutcheon is smaller; and on the right side of the vulva is a tuft of descending hair about two and one half inches long and one and one half inches broad, and there is but one oval on the udder. They yield eighteen quarts of milk for a period of eight months. [Illustration] The third order of the first class is still smaller, and not quite so decided in shape. It has also a semi-circular tuft below the vulva of small size, of descending hair, rather shining and of brighter color. There is either only one oval on the udder, or generally none. Cows of the third order yield sixteen quarts, and milk for six months. [Illustration] The fourth order of the first class, besides being still smaller, has narrower thigh escutcheons, and lower down; also the tuft under the vulva is quite long, about five or six inches, which sometimes make the vertical escutcheon terminate in a fork. This tuft has more lustre and is whiter than the hair around it. There is also a thigh tuft of half oval shape on the right of the escutcheon, about five inches high. Cows of the fourth order yield twelve quarts a day, and milk five months. [Illustration] The Bastard Flanders have two marks which distinguish them: 1. Some have on the vertical escutcheon an oval tuft, about the middle of it; this tuft has descending hair, is about three inches long and two inches wide, and the lustre of the hair makes it appear as if it was whiter than that around it. The larger the oval the sooner the milk will fail, and the smaller it is the longer will she milk. 2. Other Bastards of this class are distinguished by the ascending and descending hair interfering with each other on the outlines of the vertical escutcheon, looking feathery, or bristling like the beard of wheat. The skin is fine and reddish, but there is no dandruff. The larger the escutcheon, and the finer the hair, the more abundant the milk; but when the hair is coarse, long, and thin, the yield is small. Both kinds of Bastards of this class have every other appearance of the best cows. And all Bastards of the first classes have the two ovals on the udder. Second Class. Left Flanders. [Illustration] The cows of this class are very similar to those of the first class, though their yield is rather less. The vertical escutcheon is entirely to the left of the vulva, and the thigh escutcheon on the right is broader than that on the left. By comparison with the first class, these will be seen to be very similar, but in each order smaller; therefore, it will not be necessary to describe them separately, but simply to state the yield. Cows of the first order of the second class will yield eighteen quarts, and milk eight months. [Illustration] The second order of the second class have the lip-shaped tuft to the left of the vulva, and have one oval on the left of the udder. Cows of this order give sixteen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order has the same shaped escutcheon, but more contracted, and the lip-shaped tuft is larger and whiter. Cows of this order give fourteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The fourth order has two invasions of the thigh escutcheon by the down-growing hair, a semi-oval one on the right, and a triangular one on the left. These always indicate a reduced quantity of milk. Cows of the fourth order give ten quarts, and milk five months. [Illustration] The escutcheon of the Bastard Left Flanders is known by this peculiarity. The developments are larger and more irregular on the top of the vertical escutcheon, and to the left of the vulva; on the right is the ischiatic tuft, quite large, from which the hair is diverted in an almost horizontal direction. Third Class.—Selvage. The escutcheon of this class commences above the hock, runs up on the thighs quite high, thence it descends somewhat from both sides to the vertical portion, which rises, gradually narrowing to the vulva. [Illustration] The first order of the third class has an udder with soft skin, and fine downy hair, which, as well as the thighs, are of a yellow or nankeen cast of color. There are two ovals on the udder. Cows of the first order give nineteen quarts, and milk eight months, and often will milk nine months, not going dry unless made to. [Illustration] The second order is similar to the first, only of reduced size; it has a tuft to the left of the vulva; and only one oval on the udder on the left side; the hair of the escutcheon is generally more glossy than that around it. Cows of the second order give seventeen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order escutcheon curves downward on each side of the vertical mirror, which rises narrowing to a point at the vulva; to the right and left of the vulva are tufts, the one on the left being the longest; on the left of the udder is sometimes an oval. Cows of the third order give fifteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The escutcheon of the fourth order is of similar shape, but still smaller; but the tuft on left of the vulva is much longer than on the right, and there is no oval on the udder. Cows of the fourth order give twelve quarts, and milk five months. [Illustration] The bastards of the third class have two tufts, one on the right, and one on the left of the vulva, about four to five inches long, and one and one half inches wide. The smaller they are, and the finer the hair on them, the less rapid is the loss of milk. But if they are large and have coarse hair, and are pointed at each end, they prove the milk to be poor and serous, and the cow will fail rapidly. The Fourth Class. Curveline. [Illustration] The Curveline cows are very plenty, and are of a very good grade, approaching the first class. The escutcheon is broader than the last two classes, in the upper part. Their skin is of delicate texture, and nankeen shade of color on the escutcheon. The higher and broader the curved line rises toward the vulva, which it never reaches, the better it is. There are two ovals on the udder. Cows of the first order of the fourth class give 19 quarts, and milk eight months, and sometimes up to their next calf. [Illustration] The second order have the same shape escutcheon, but more contracted. There is but one, and sometimes no oval on the udder. On the left of the vulva is a small tuft. Cows of the second order give seventeen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order has a smaller escutcheon, with two tufts by the vulva, the left longer than the right, about four inches by one inch wide. Sometimes an oval on the left side of the udder. Cows of the third order give fifteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The fourth order has a much smaller escutcheon, reaching just above the udder. The two tufts are larger alongside the vulva, and the hairs bristle to each side. On the right, the down-growing hair intrudes somewhat upon the escutcheon. Cows of the fourth order give twelve quarts, and milk five months. [Illustration] The Bastards of the fourth class have a fine appearance of escutcheon, but they are known by the tufts alongside the vulva. If they have coarse bristly hair, and of large size, say four to five inches long, and one and a half in width, they indicate a rapid loss of milk as soon as pregnant, particularly if they are pointed at each end. The Fifth Class. The Bicorn. The escutcheons of this class in the vertical portion end below the vulva in an indented shape, presenting the appearance of two upright horns. Their udders are of a saffron color, delicate, with fine, soft hair, and have much dandruff. [Illustration] The first order has two tufts of small size along the vulva, and two ovals on the udder. They give seventeen quarts, and milk eight months. [Illustration] The second order are similar to the first, only smaller escutcheons, the vulva tufts are longer, and there is but one oval on the udder, on the left. The right horn of the escutcheon is smaller than the left one. Cows of the second order give fifteen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order have similar escutcheons to the last, but smaller, while the vulva tufts are larger, there are no ovals, and there is an invasion of the descending hair on the right side. The right is two inches shorter than the left. Cows of the third order give thirteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The fourth order have the same shaped escutcheon, but smaller, with two tufts alongside the vulva, larger than those on the last. On the right of the escutcheon is a triangular cut in the shape, made by encroachments of the down-growing hair. Cows of the fourth order give ten quarts, and milk five months. [Illustration] The Bastards of the fifth class have the full escutcheon of the first or second orders, but with two large tufts alongside the vulva, which, according to their size, and more or less pointed shape, and fine or coarse hair, indicate the more or less stoppage of the flow of milk. The Sixth Class. Double Selvage. The escutcheons of Double Selvage cows differ from those of Selvage, or the third class, in that the escutcheon is marked in its whole length by a strip of hair descending and dividing it into two equal portions. It is bordered in its whole length and at the extremity by a double line of ascending hair, which extends the escutcheon up to the vulva. Otherwise it is like the selvage escutcheon. [Illustration] The first order cows have a fine udder, soft, and covered with a silky down; and its skin is yellowish or nankeen. Cows of the first order give eighteen quarts, and milk full eight months. [Illustration] The second order have a similar escutcheon, but smaller, and the separating strip ends higher up. Cows of the second order give sixteen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order have a still more reduced escutcheon, the descending strip terminating at the udder. Cows of the third order give fourteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The fourth order have an escutcheon more broken in appearance, the two side lines of the selvage terminate half way to the vulva, and end off in lines of a feathery appearance, the hair is coarser and more furry. Cows of the fourth order give ten quarts, and milk five months. [Illustration] Bastards of the sixth class have the escutcheon similar to the first class, but the selvage lines terminate on each side of the vulva in tufts of coarse and bristly hair; the larger and coarser they are, the sooner the milk will fail. The Seventh Class. Demijohn. [Illustration] The first order of this class has the skin of the escutcheon of yellowish color. The udder is fine, and covered with a silky down to the inside of the thighs; and the dandruff is soft and oily to the touch. The shape is similar to the selvage somewhat, only the vertical mirror rises broader and straighter, and ends half way up to the vulva, cut square off. The broader and higher this part is, the better the escutcheon. The escutcheon is not so high up on the thighs as the previous classes. There are two ovals on the udder, and two small tufts of fine hair alongside the vulva. Cows of the first order give seventeen quarts, and milk eight months. [Illustration] The second order have the escutcheon lower down and, of course, smaller in every way. There are two tufts alongside the vulva, the left one as large as in the first order, (two and a half inches,) the right one only half as long. There is one oval on the left of the udder. Cows of the second order give fifteen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order escutcheon is of different shape, the lines converging downwards from the vertical mirror, which is short, and cut off square. The right side frequently has a curved line from the descending hair invading it. The vulva tufts are longer than in the second order. Cows of the third order give thirteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The fourth order has the escutcheon still smaller. The tufts alongside the vulva are not so plain, but the hair is coarse and bristly. There is a triangular invasion on the right of the escutcheon. Cows of the fourth order give ten quarts and milk five months. [Illustration] The Bastards of this class have a good escutcheon, but the tufts are large and of coarse, bristly hair, and will fail according to the size. The Eighth Class. Square Escutcheon. [Illustration] The first order of this class have the same yellowish color on the escutcheon as other first orders; the udder is flexible, covered with a short, fine down. The escutcheon is much of the shape of the Demijohns, but the vertical, as it rises, branches square off to the left, and ascends, straight and narrow, to the left side of the vulva. There are two ovals on the udder. The more the square approaches the vulva, and the finer the hair, the greater quantity is there of milk. Cows of the first order give seventeen quarts, and milk eight months. The second order have a similar escutcheon, only smaller in every way. They have two ovals on the udder, and a small tuft to the right of the vulva. [Illustration] Cows of the second order give fifteen quarts, and milk seven months. [Illustration] The third order have the escutcheon still smaller; the lines curving downward at the corners; one oval on the udder, and the tuft to the right of the vulva, larger and of coarser hair. Cows of the third order give thirteen quarts, and milk six months. [Illustration] The fourth order have the escutcheon much smaller, the square is much lower, and the upper part of it is formed of bristly hair, and feathery looking; as is also the tuft to the right. On the right side of the escutcheon is an invasion of triangular shape. Cows of the fourth order give ten quarts, and milk five months. [Illustration] The Bastards of the eighth class are distinguished from those of the first order by the tuft on the right, which is of coarse and bristly hair, and the square terminates also in the same hair. The Ninth Class. Limousines. The escutcheons of this class, in ascending toward the vulva, do so in