ood
constitution is indicated by large lungs, which are found in a deep,
broad, and prominent chest, broad and well-spread ribs, a respiration
somewhat slow and regular, a good appetite, and if in milk a strong
inclination to drink, which a large secretion of milk almost invariably
stimulates. In such a cow the digestive organs are active and energetic,
and they make an abundance of good blood, which in turn stimulates the
activity of the nervous system, and furnishes the milky glands with the
means of abundant secretion. Such a cow, when dry, readily takes on fat.
When activity of the milk-glands is found united with close ribs, small
and feeble lungs, and a slow appetite, often attended by great thirst,
the cow will generally possess only a weak and feeble constitution; and
if the milk is plentiful, it will generally be of bad quality, while the
animal, if she does not die of diseased lungs, will not readily take on
fat, when dry and fed.

[Illustration: A GOOD MILCH COW.]

In order to have no superfluous flesh, the cow should have a small,
clean, and rather long head, tapering toward the muzzle. A cow with a
large, coarse head will seldom fatten readily, or give a large quantity
of milk. A coarse head increases the proportion of weight of the least
valuable parts, while it is a sure indication that the whole bony
structure is too heavy. The mouth should be large and broad; the eye
bright and sparkling, but of a peculiar placidness of expression, with
no indication of wildness, but rather a mild and feminine look. These
points will indicate gentleness of disposition. Such cows seem to like
to be milked, are fond of being caressed, and often return caresses. The
horns should be small, short, tapering, yellowish, and glistening. The
neck should be small, thin, and tapering toward the head, but thickening
when it approaches the shoulder; the dewlaps small. The fore quarters
should be rather small when compared with the hind quarters. The form of
the barrel will be large, and each rib should project further than the
preceding one, up to the loins. She should be well formed across the
hips and in the rump.

The spine or back-bone should be straight and long, rather loosely hung,
or open along the middle part, the result of the distance between the
dorsal vertebrae, which sometimes causes a slight depression, or sway
back. By some good judges, this mark is regarded as of great importance,
especially when the bones of the