530 Transactions of the 



THE QUESTION OF SIZE. 



Concerning the question of color enough has already been said; but 

 opinions vary very much on the question of size, too much prominence 

 being often given to the supposed advantage of mere largeness — an 

 advantage which becomes real when we are breeding for the butcher; 

 but which may well be questioned in considering dairy results only. 

 This subject is thus treated in the essay printed with the first volume 

 of the Club's "Register:" 



"The question of size is doubtless of great importance, but there is 

 no positive knowledge to guide our decision concerning it; at least, I 

 am aware of no experiments that do more than to indicate which is the 

 wisest course to pursue. So far as uncertain indications are to be relied 

 on at all, they seem to point to medium size as the most desirable. 

 Further experiments as to the advantage or disadvantage of large size 

 are needed. Certain arguments in favor of the smaller size are worthy 

 of consideration. In the case of pure breeding, w r here calves have a 

 high value, more calves will be produced with the consumption of'a 

 given amount of food in the case of small cows than of large ones; 

 that is, a larger number of cows can be kept. In a large herd of small 

 animals it is easier to keep up, throughout the year, a uniform supply 

 of milk and its products, than where there are fewer animals of a larger 

 size consuming the same amount of food. One great source of the demand 

 for Jersey cattle is the necessity for a few quarts of milk regularly 

 supplied for family use. A large Ayrshire or Dutch cow, giving four 

 thousand quarts of milk during the year, will produce an oversupply 

 during one season and go entirely dry at another. She will consume as 

 much food as would support two little Jerseys giving each two thousand 

 quarts of milk, one coming in the Spring and one in the Autumn. In, 

 perhaps, a majority of instances, accommodation can be furnished for 

 only one cow and food for only a small one. For such cases the smaller 

 Jerseys are especially adapted, such as will give ten quarts of milk at 

 their flush, and not fall below three quarts within six weeks of the 

 next calving; the cream increasing in proportion, and becoming richer 

 as the quantity of milk decreases, thus maintaining a satisfactory 

 quantity for at least ten months of the year, and yielding enough for 

 necessary use during the eleventh." 



Dr. Voelcker, in his assay on milk, says: 



'•'As a general rule, small races, or small individuals of the larger 

 races, give the richest milk from the same kind of food. Whether it is 

 more profitable to keep small or large-sized breeds is another question, 

 of which we shall presently speak. Where good quality is the main 

 object, Alderneys, perhaps, will give most satisfaction, for they give a 

 richer cream than any other breed in common use in this country. The 

 small Kerry and the miniature Bretons also produce extremely rich 

 milk; but, of course, in much less quantity than the larger breeds." 



THE INTRODUCTION OF JERSEYS INTO AMERICA. 



In eighteen hundred and seventeen, Mr. Richard Morris, of Philadel- 

 phia, describes a "cow of the Alderney breed" imported a short time 



