55G Transactions op the 



possession of a community. The idea ma}- be started by an individual, 

 but it will be taken up by the community, fostered, probably, by some 

 real want or necessity of the people. With the tenacity that rural com- 

 munities usually bold t<> any peculiar prejudice or tradition, the course 

 of breeding originally adopted will be persevered in for generations, 

 until a very distinct and valuable breed will be created. In this way 

 have many hundreds of breeds of hogs ami horned cattle been brought 

 to a greater or less degree of perfection. But in eases when the general 

 taste has changed, or the animal has been superseded by something bet- 

 ter, the breed has been abandoned and lost in the surrounding natives. 

 The inhabitants of the Island of Jersey have always been jealous of the 

 high butter qualities of their favorites, and exceedingly loath to allow 

 an}- crosses with foreign cattle. Accordingly, in seventeen hundred 

 and eighty-nine, the Jersey Legislature forbade any importation of cattle 

 under severe penalties. Guernseys have never been considered foreign 

 cattle, and there have always been a i'tjw on the island, to which fact 

 may, perhaps, be attributed the buff noses we occasionally now meet 

 with in some excellent Jerseys. 



The agriculture of Jersey partakes more of the practice of gardening 

 than farming, hoed crops taking the place of general tillage. Apple 

 orchards, roadsides, and small jJaddocks supply grazing in the place of 

 extensive pastures. The cattle are usually kept in the stable and fed on 

 roots, straw, and hay; and when grazing are tethered, or attended by 

 children. This enforced familiarity between the cow and her master 

 has induced the owner to study the nature and disposition of the cow, 

 and the cow to adapt herself to the wants of her owner. Colonel Le 

 Couteur tells us the care of the cow is generally left to the female mem- 

 bers of the family; to which fact may be attributed the sweet and love- 

 able nature of the cow, as undoubtedly the hand of woman has its 

 refining influence even upon dumb brutes. 



The Channel Islands are composed of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and 

 Sark. Sark does not seem to claim any distinctive breed of cattle. Al- 

 derney is the principal shipping point for all the islands, and has given 

 to all cattle exported the common name of Alderney s. Youatt says: 

 "All cattle, whether from the French coast or islands, pass under the 

 common name of Alderney." Guernsey has a valuable and distinct 

 breed of cattle, larger in size, coarser in structure, and redder in color 

 than the Jerseys. 



The cattle from Jersey have undoubtedly given the breeds called Al- 

 derney their particular prominence abroad. In England, as early as the 

 days when Youatt wrote, we read: "It is fashionable that the view 

 from the breakfast or drawing room of the house should present an Al- 

 derney cow or two grazing at a little distance." The Alderney was 

 imported into and was a great favorite along the south coast of England 

 more than a century ago, and a few animals were imported into this 

 country in the early part of this century, and to a large extent by .Mr. 

 John A. Taintor, of Hartford, Connecticut, about the year eighteen hun- 

 dred ami fifty. They have been favorites in New England and in the 

 vicinity of Philadelphia ever since their first appearance in this country. 

 They were introduced into the West about the year eighteen hundred 

 and forty, when tiny were brought into Kentucky by Mr. James 13. 

 Clay, of Lexington, Mr. 11. A. Alexander, of Woodford County, and by 

 Colonel Anderson, of the Soldiers' Home, Earroldsburg. 



The prices ranged from one hundred dollars to three hundred dollars 

 for cows, depending upon milking qualities. But the publication of the 



