No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 267 



the elements contributing to the success of Jerseys as dairy animals, 

 I may be permitted to hold that there is still something more needed 

 to explain their greatness, and for the sake of convenience, I shall 

 simply designate it as their essential nature. 



Jerseys are characterized as being of a highly organized type. 

 They are dairy machines of great power and efficiency. 



As helpful factors in the development of Jerseys, the following 

 points may be briefly mentioned: 



1. The small size of the Island of Jersey and the enforced economy 

 in the use of land. The total area of the Island is only 62 miles, and, 

 as there are some thousands of land owners, the cattle cannot be 

 allowed to roam about, but are tethered by short ropes, removed 

 several times a day to fresh grass, led to water, and led to and from 

 the stable. 



2. The mild climate, which is due to the genial influence of the 

 Gulf stream. The orange and the lemon ripen without protection; 

 the grass is green and nutritious throughout the winter. 



3. The division of the land among a comparatively large number 

 of owners, thus affording to these cattle the advantage of being 

 under the master's eye. The inhabitants of the Island of Jersey 

 are designated as ''gentry." Their material condition and average 

 intelligence is said to be vastly superior to that of the poorer peas- 

 antry of other parts of Europe. 



4. The fertility of the soil, which, with other conditions named, 

 insures a high quality of feed. Through a great number of genera- 

 tions, there has been thus acquired or fixed the ability to profitably 

 digest and transform good food into valuable products for the 

 owner. 



But a question that is of special importance to us in this country 

 is, "Do Jersey cattle in the hands of American breeders sustain the 

 reputation tor dairy excellence which they enjoy at home?" I an- 

 swer, in substance, as did the Queen of Sheba in reference to the 

 wisdom of Solomon: That the reports current have failed to do the 

 subject justice. 



Many a European, who on his native heath might have passed his 

 life in obscurity and poverty, comes to this land of freedom, progress 

 and boundless opportunity, and achieves both fame and fortune. 

 The Jersey cow^, during a few generations in the hands of skilful 

 American breeders, while retaining the essential points of quality 

 and adaptation to dairy work, has vastly increased her capacity for 

 usefulness. Jerseys were always noted for their persistency and 

 uniformity as milkers. They have, therefore, for a long time been 

 preferred by prudent managers to other cattle that might give a 

 larger flow of milk in the earlier period of lactation, but that were 

 not the equal of the Jerseys in eveness of production throughout the 

 milking period. 



