[Illustration:
THE COW.
]
The Cow is the most important animal of the farmer’s stock. Being
equally capable of enduring heat and cold. It is an inhabitant of the
frozen, as well as of the most scorching climates. There are a great
variety of kinds; and they are all of a very humble and gentle
disposition. The climate and pastures of Great Britain are well adapted
to the nature of this animal; and we are indebted to the variety and
abundance of our wholesome vegetables, for the number and excellence of
our cattle, which range over our hills, and enliven our plains—a source
of wealth and boast to this happy country. Not having the upper
fore-teeth, the Cow prefers the high and rich grass in pastures, to the
short and more delicate herbage generally selected by the horse. For
this reason, where the grass is rather high and flourishing in our
pastures than large and full, the Cow thrives well; and there is no part
of Europe in which this animal grows larger, gives more milk, or fattens
sooner. The quantity of milk given by Cows is various; some give only
about six quarts in a day, whilst others give from fifteen to twenty.
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