Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1887 — Hair of Animals in Health and Disease. [ARTICLE]

Hair of Animals in Health and Disease.

The hairy covering of our farm animals is by no means a worthless thing. It not only protects from cold, heat, and rain, but makes the appearance of the animal more agreeable. We often say that an animal is of an ugly color, and yet it is more agreeable looking than it would be without hair. As an indication of the qualities of the aniI mal. the ha r is made of value to the i breeder or feeder. Fine, silky hair, especially if it has a tendency to curl, is an indication that the animal will fatten easily, and that its flesh will be fine-grained and of good quality. Coarse, stiff hair is invariably found on an animal slow to fatten and of coarse flesh. This applies to cattle, hogs, or sheep, and irrespective of breed. The shrewd feeder, and also the shrewd breeder will reject an animal with very coarse hair. Such hair usually accompanies a bad disposition. A coarsehaired cow generally gives poor milk; a fine-haired cow gives rich milk. But usually coarse-haired sows are more prolific, while fine-haired sows are the better sucklers. Staring hair indicates an unhealthy condition of the body; but when cattle lick the hair —in the wrong direction—they are thrifty. By studying the peculiarities of the hair of our live stock, much of the internal structure and of the disposition of the animals may be learned. — American Agriculturist.