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.
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.
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.
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.