MAINE STATE SOCIETY. H 



properties in a remarkable degree cannot be denied. "Whether the 

 breeders of New England who have obtained this breed, will keep 

 up these characteristics, or whether our peculiarities of climate will 

 be favorable for them, remains to be shown as the results of further 

 careful trial. 



There were but few specimens of the pure breed presented, but 

 those were very good, especially the cows of S. L. Goodale and 0. 

 W. Straw. 



The next class of cattle which came under our review was the 

 Jerseys. This is beyond question a race, rather than a breed, pos- 

 sessing very peculiar and well defined characteristics. 



The Jerseys have been imported, from an island of the same name 

 in the British Channel, near the coast of France. They were 

 introduced over thirty years ago, from the Channel islands, viz : 

 Aldernoy, Guernsey and Jersey. 



Their speciality is the property of giving a fair quantity of ex- 

 ceedingly rich milk. This renders them valuable in the butter 

 dairies, and for this purpose, notwithstanding the profusion of sneers 

 and taunts which are thrown upon them to an unlimited amount, 

 they are highly prized by those whose wants require rich stores of 

 cream. For this purpose your committee have no doubt they are 

 very superior. They are, therefore, as a dairy breed, worthy of 

 attention. 



There were many very fine specimens of the Jerseys presented 

 for the premiums and also for exhibition only. Some of them, how- 

 ever, gave evidence of the severity of the drouth in the early fall. 



On farms where the making of butter is an object of pursuit and 

 profit, your committee have no doubt, that, an infusion of Jersey 

 blood will be likely to secure richness of milk, and high-flavored,, 

 delicious butter. 



Your committee have seen with regret, and long heard the lam- 

 entations of lovers of good butter, that, just in proportion as the 

 native cow has been improved by the infusion of Durham blood, the 

 butter has depreciated in quality, for the last twenty years ; and 

 they feel that they can congratulate your Society and the farmers 

 of the State, that, in the Jersey race, you have the means, not only 

 of bringing the butter back to its original goodness, but to a far 

 superior excellence. » 



