The Globe Republican

Some Faults of Cows.

Sometimes an otherwise excellent cow is rendered partially or totally worthless for the dairy because of a habit of leaking milk writes C. P. Goodrich in Patron's Hand-Book This fault cannot always be detected unless the milk is seen to be leaking.

It does not follow that because a cow milks easily that she will leak her milk; far from it.

Still, those that do leak, usually milk rather easy. Some times the milk seems to drip away from the teats nearly as fast as it is made and the udder is always nearly empty. This makes a cow worthless as a milker, but can be detected any time except when she is dry. Other cows do not leak until the udder is well distended and they lie down forcing the milk out in a stream and making quite a puddle of milk on the ground or floor. Sometimes the close observer will detect this.

Another fault that some cows have is the habit of sucking other cows, or, worse still, of sucking themselves. My advice is never to buy such a cow under any circumstances if one can detect the fault. Such a cow may possibly be prevented from sucking, but she can never be cured of the inclination to do so, and will surely be a source of vexation.

If the cow you are looking at has a ring in her nose, or has her nose pierced for a ring, don't buy her. That was done for something, and probably in a vain attempt to prevent her from sucking. If she has her tongue slit it is for the same reason. But, no matter, she can suck just the same.

If the hair is worn off about her head or neck, be sure that it is not caused by some toggery put there to prevent her sucking.