NEAT STOCK. 205 



published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, 

 they were " Meg Merrilics of cows." 



The Alderneys were introduced here upwards of thirty years 

 ago, and were at one time quite common at the country seats 

 of gentlemen around Boston ; hut they generally failed for 

 want of hardiness. The improved Jersey is claimed to be 

 superior to the Alderney and Guernsey. A society which was 

 established for the improvement of these cattle has existed in 

 Jersey for many years. According to Le Contour, the shape 

 and constitution of the breed have been much improved by 

 proper selections through many generations, while something 

 has been gained in the quantity of butter in proportion to the 

 food consumed. This improved stock has been considerably 

 introduced into this country, particularly into this State and 

 Connecticut ; but a sufficient time has not elapsed since their 

 introduction to justify a positive opinion in regard to their 

 success here. They are evidently more hardy than the old 

 Alderney stock ; their hides are generally thicker, though 

 frequently too thin ; they have better forms, and their fattening 

 tendency is increased, though not generally to a degree that 

 interferes injuriously with the yield of milk. So far as an 

 opinion can be formed from what they have done here, they 

 seem to be just the cows for the town and city, where plenty of 

 good food and comfortable shelter are always provided. As to 

 general dairy purposes in the country, it would be well to give 

 them a fair trial, having particular regard to selections of those 

 of good constitution. They are also worthy of attention for 

 crossing the common stock. Persons who have kept the breed 

 in the vicinity of Boston, have obtained an extra price for 

 butter. Instances are not uncommon, of cows- of this breed 

 affording ten to twelve pounds of butter a week, and sometimes 

 still higher yields are obtained. The statement of Thomas 

 Motley, Jr., Esq., of West Roxbury, was published several 

 years since, showing that the milk of his cow Flora produced 

 511 lbs. of butter in one year. 



The Yorkshire breed is a sub-variety of the Short-horn. It 

 is not that which has been denominated the Improved Short- 

 horn, or Durham breed, whose leading characteristic is the pro- 

 duction of beef. Though both belong to the Short-horn race, 

 there is as much difference between the milking and fattening 



