124 BOARD OF AGRICULTURF. 



was the home of one or many pairs of oxen or steers. They fur- 

 nished the motive power for farm work in summer and lumbering 

 operations in winter. They had a brisk selling value for these 

 purposes here, and a well paying market always awaited them at 

 Brighton, the great cattle emporium of New England. 



People would persist in comparing the Jersey with the beef breeds, 

 for beef purposes. "What use," said they, "have we for the 

 little yellow, peaked Jerseys ? They can never make beef and they 

 will destroy what we have already gained." Many times have I 

 heard the assertion that "the introduction of the Jerseys has 

 caused the cattle interests of Maine hundreds of thousands of 

 dollars." They saw no place for the Jersey in their business and 

 could not appreciate her mission. 



Now it is not at all surprising that they should view the subject 

 as they did, for the farmers of twenty or thirty years ago believed 

 in general purpose animals. The newly introduced animals were 

 not acclimated, and as grades were raised many of them found their 

 way into the possession of men who gave them the crudest treat- 

 ment, placing the delicate, nervous, sensitive young things with 

 yards full of coarsely bred cows, steers and oxen, and because they 

 did not prove successful "rustlers" and yield lots of milk the}' 

 were condemned. 



But from her first introduction she has constantly been making 

 friends. A few j'oung grade cows and heifers in the i^ossession of 

 careful farmers have had the argument all their own way, and since 

 these first few years people have been constantly rallying to the 

 support of the gallant little cow, until now she is acknowledged the 

 queen of economists. Though the Jersey is a native of a temperate 

 climate, she has abundantly proved that she is equally and admir- 

 ably adapted to the extreme heat of our Southern States, or the 

 vigors of a Canadian winter. At the same time this is not claiming 

 that she can rustle with the native cow. Profitable dairying does 

 not mean tests of endurance. The man who intends keeping onh* 

 those cows that can endure the most neglect had better turn his 

 attention to some other occupation. Dairying is not a question of 

 which cow can do most with least food and attention ; but the ques- 

 tion is, with best appliances, and most intelligent handling, which 

 breed will return tbe greatest profit for the outlay ? 



With reasonable care and feed the Jersey asks no favors, while 

 we believe she will give a better return for extra care thfin any other 



