“Beginning with a little sketch of the method of the birth of the system in Guenon’s mind, the author goes on in a clear and concise manner to explain by plain language and appropriate drawings, the various so called ‘milk mirrors’ and their values, being properly understood, as aids in selecting good dairy stock. The various opinions of those adverse to the ‘theory’ are fairly discussed, and the reports of various agricultural societies which have from time to time investigated it are given, together with the report of the Pennsylvania commission. Taken altogether, Mr. Hazard has succeeded in making a very readable, interesting and valuable book, and one which, whatever may or may not be the preconceived ideas of its reader, cannot fail to interest and instruct him upon a subject which should be far better understood amongst farmers generally, than it at present is.”—New England Homestead.
“A very valuable pamphlet. Mr. Hazard has devoted great attention and study to the subject, with a view of rendering the system popular, and we happen to know that his work is largely appreciated, especially by the farmers of New England, from the number of orders received for the book. The discovery made by Mr. Guenon, and the practical principles founded on it are invaluable, and the saving to the country by its general knowledge will be very great. The State of Pennsylvania, in 1878, appointed a commission to test the system and report on it. Mr. Hazard was a member of the commission, and has added the results of much study and research. He has been invited to lecture and present the subject at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, at Greenfield, and has many invitations and engagements in other places.”—Massachusetts Ploughman.
“This volume embraces all the essential matters in Guenon’s treatise. It is really a valuable contribution to dairy literature.”—Southern Cultivator.
“Every farmer should study Guenon.”—Farm Journal.
“Dairymen and stock raisers should send for a copy.”—Rural Nebraska.
EXTRACTS FROM THE MUCH LARGER NOTICES OF THE WORK.
How to Select Cows; or, the Guenon System Explained. By Willis P. Hazard. In no way is the march of improvement in agriculture more decided than in the new discoveries and new methods of developing its resources. It is owing to these that America is now the granary of the world, and, as years roll by, if the developments of the next decade are as great in proportion as the last ones, no matter how extensive the foreign demand, there will be an ample supply at still lower prices than at the present. No branch of agricultural interests has changed so much and received such an impetus, especially within the last five years, as the dairy. Entire new modes of making butter and cheese and of setting milk have largely taken place of the old ones. Competition in making dairy products becomes keener each year, and every process by which the labor can be lessened, or the products be cheapened, meets with recompense.
The first step, however, is in the selection of good stock, for by it the product of the herd is increased from twenty-five to thirty-three per cent., and, therefore, the profits must be immensely greater. The old plan of our forefathers of judging of the value of a cow by a crumpled horn and a large bag is now set aside by recent discoveries. The most important and most reliable one is that of Mons. François Guenon, of Libourne, France. After a series of experiments he was convinced there were outward marks in the hair which were an indication of the yield and quality of all cows. Patiently for many years he labored at forming his discoveries into a system, with classes and orders of each variation. He was finally rewarded by the approval of all the leading agricultural societies in France, and by that government with a pension of three thousand francs.
The work of Guenon was partially translated and published in this country years ago, but it was his first crude effort, and it presented the new science in so crude a form as rather to dismay the learner than to invite him to master it. Last year the State of Pennsylvania appointed a commission of three well-known agriculturists and experts to test the system and report upon it. That report was printed and published to the extent of twenty-five thousand copies, which but partially supplied the demand. Messrs. Blight, Harvey, and Hazard examined the escutcheons of two hundred cows, and interpreted them as regards the quantity, quality, and time of the yield of each animal. Alongside of their statements the knowledge of the owner of each cow was printed, and it is truly wonderful how accurately the character of each cow is given by these gentlemen who had never seen the cattle before. The gist of their report was that the system was invaluable and worthy of adoption by every farmer, and such adoption would add millions of value to the improved herds of the country.