158 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTUKE. 



decided in its characteristics. A cow giving poor milk is 

 seldom found, and one from whose milk a large quantity of 

 excellent butter, in proportion to the quantity of milk, can- 

 not be made, is, we believe, yet to be reported. The animals 

 are extremely docile and even affectionate under kind and 

 quiet treatment, but nervous and wild under harsh usage ; 

 and under such treatment the bulls become cross and danger- 

 ous at an early age. In size they are small, as compared 

 with other thoroughbred stock, but your committee believe 

 that by careful breeding much improvement has been and can 

 still be effected in these respects. 



The points of excellence recognized by breeders of Jerseys 

 are also so clearly defined that any one who will give to the 

 subject careful observation, can become expert and arrive at 

 satisfactory results. This was quite apparent to your com- 

 mittee in their examination. In making their selection by 

 marking off four cows from each of the two large herds for 

 the best herd of four, four of the committee selected three of 

 the same cows, and the other two selected two of the same 

 three, and a similar result occurred several times in making 

 up the awards ; all indicating that the cows had been well- 

 bred and that the committee were governed by the same gen- 

 eral standard. 



Your committee were gratified to notice that the Jersey 

 stock received its full share of attention from the public, and 

 that remarks from farmers and others derogatory to their 

 general appearance were not heard. It has been the custom 

 of many persons to decry this stock at fairs and elsewhere ; 

 but its excellence is now generally recognized. In quantity 

 of milk even, it is proven that the average of a well-selected 

 herd for twelve months, in pounds or quarts, is very near the 

 average of Ayrshires, which is considered the best milking- 

 stock, and that the number of pounds of butter which such 

 herds will produce exceeds that made by any other breed, 

 while the price at which Jersey butter can be sold in the 

 cities and large towns is nearly double that of first quality 

 common butter. 



For these reasons, and others which might be adduced, 

 your committee feel warranted in calling general attention to 

 Jersey stock, and in commending it to milk-producers and 



