THE JERSEY, ALDERNEY AND GUERNSEY COW. 4^ 



rather than the exception in the breeding of a compo- 

 site race like the Jerseys. Their excellences seem to 

 have been derived from several sources, and viewed by 

 itself, this race mieht almost be reo^arded as a mixed 

 one. It is only when compared with other races that 

 its typical individuality becomes manifest. However 

 much a herd of Jerseys may vary among themselves, 

 not one of them ever looks like a Short-horn, an Ayr- 

 shire, or a ' native.' Within the varying range of color 

 and form that the breed presents, there are many 

 points, such as the black switches and the uniform hues, 

 which may be singled out for the especial attention of 

 the breeder, and may be made in a few generations 

 much more permanent and conspicuous than they natu- 

 rally are. While it would not be impossible, it would 

 be extremely difficult, to give prominence to two distinct 

 features — to the large milking qualities and to the black 

 points — at the same time. The difficulty of selection 

 would be increased many fold. It would be possible^ no 

 doubt, to establish a herd of 1 5 lb. cows with the lead- 

 ing fancy- color points, but it would require a long time, 

 great care, and probably an important sacrifice of form 

 and fineness. Then again, by the time perfection had 

 been attained, the question of color might have come 

 to be little regarded, or the fashion might have changed 

 entirely to fawn and white color, with white switches 

 and licrht-colored tongues. If w^e are to be fanciers in 

 the sense In which those are who breed pigeons, then we 

 may very properly set up a fancy standard, and breed 



