Handbook of Nature-Study · Lesson LXVIII · Topic 8: Domestic animals
68. The cow
Goal: Your child can explain how a cow's two-toed feet, tail, cud-chewing and herd life suited wild cattle, and name things we get from cattle.
You'll need
- A visit to cattle: a dairy farm, farm stand, fair or pasture fence
- A few kitchen items that come from cows (milk, butter, cheese, a leather shoe)
- A nature notebook and a pencil (colored pencils if you have them)
What's in the book
Comstock's story of cattle: wild cattle that formed a ring against wolves, the cow's horns, feet, cud-chewing and herd leaders, and the breeds for milk and beef. Then Lesson LXVIII's leading thought, method with writing topics, and nineteen questions, the later ones about dairy farming.
The lesson, step by step
When and where
Any season. A pasture fence on a country road is fine; a dairy farm or the cattle barn at a fair is better.
Safety first
Farm safety: ask the owner before you go near the animals, stay outside the fence unless you are invited in, and wash hands with soap and water after touching animals or their pens. No eating or drinking in the animal area.
Never go into a field with a bull. Don't touch fences on a farm: some carry an electric current.
Keep the big idea in mind
Comstock's "leading thought" is the one idea the lesson is meant to lead to. Read it to yourself now, and save it to share at the end, after your child has looked and answered:
Certain characteristics which enable the cow to live successfully as a wild animal, have rendered her of great use to us as a domestic animal.
Look at a cow
Describe her horns, ears, eyes, nose and mouth. Do you think she can hear well? What is the attitude of her ears when she is listening?
The cow walks on two toes. Can you see any other toes which she does not walk on? Why is the cow's foot better adapted than that of the horse, to walk in mud and marshes?
Tail and herd
For what use was the cow's tail evidently intended?
Is there always a leader in a herd of cows? Do certain cows of the herd always go first and others last?
If cows are walking to the barn or the water trough, watch their order.
Chewing the cud
At what time of day do cattle feed in the pasture? When and where do they chew the cud? Do they stand or lie to do this? Describe how a cow lies down and gets up.
If you studied the horse, ask: does a cow get up front end first or back end first?
From the cow to us
How many industries are dependent upon cattle?
Lay out your kitchen items and see how many more your child can name. Then ask what about a wild cow's body helps it live, and read the leading thought aloud.
Nature notebook
Draw a cow's two-toed hoof beside a horse's one-toed hoof. Add a list headed "From cattle" with everything your child named.
Afterwards
Comstock's later questions (10 to 16) are about running a dairy: good milk cows, feed, clean barns and milk. On a farm visit, ask the farmer one of them.