CATTLE. 39 



These cattle were imported into this country more than fifty years ago, but not in con- 

 siderable numbers until during the last twenty-five years, during which time they have grown 

 rapidly in popular favor, and have now become quite common in all the New England States, 

 New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and a few other states farther south 

 and west. It is stated that in 1789, the Jersey breed was considered so much superior to any 

 other breed then known, that an act was passed by the local legislature prohibiting the 

 importation of any foreign breed into the island, under a penalty of two hundred livres, to 

 which was also added the forfeiture of the boat and its tackle, and a fine of fifty livres upon 

 every sailor on board who failed to give information of such cattle being landed. The ani 

 mals landed were also doomed to immediate slaughter and their flesh given to the poor, and 

 to the present time no foreign cattle are permitted to be landed on the island, except as 

 butcher s meat. By such means the purity of the Jersey blood has been maintained. They 

 are natives of a milder climate than our Northern States, and are therefore not quite as 

 hardy as some of our other breeds, and will not thrive under neglect. They should always 

 be provided (as indeed all cattle should,) with a plenty of good food, and also with warm 

 shelter in cold or stormy weather, and they will abundantly repay all the care bestowed upon 

 them. They are pre-eminently a dairy breed, being too small to be profitable for beef, 

 while their size and consequent want of strength renders them ill-adapted for working oxen, 

 although Low states that in their native country the bullocks are used for labor. 



In England, as in this country, aside from dairy use, Jerseys are much in demand by 

 gentlemen of means residing in -the neighborhood of cities, for the purpose of furnishing 

 rich milk and cream for their tables. In such cases they are permitted to graze their lawns, 

 and are carefully tended and petted. 



Description of Jerseys. With respect to the general appearance and characteristics 

 of the Jersey or Alderney breed, Low says: &quot;The cattle of this race are small and ill-formed 

 when regarded as animals to fatten. The neck of the cow thin; her shoulder light; her 

 chest narrow; her belly large. The limbs are slender; the pelvic bones are prominent; the 

 lumbar region is deep; the croup short and drooping, and udder large. The muzzle is 

 narrow; the horns are short, slender, and curving inwards. The color is usually of a light 

 red or fawn, mixed with white; but frequently individuals are black, mixed white, or dun, 

 and sometimes cream-colored. The skin is thin, and of a rich, orange-yellow, and the fat is 

 tinged with the same color. The animals are gentle, and somewhat delicate in constitution. 

 Being small, the milk they yield is likewise small in quantity although fully in proportion 

 to their bulk of body and it is viscid and rich in cream. In their native country, the bul 

 locks are used for labor, to which they are better adapted than, from the slender form of the 

 dam, might be inferred.&quot; 



Mr. L. F. Allen describes the breed more definitely, as follows: &quot;Beginning with the 

 head the most characteristic feature the muzzle is fine; the nose either dark -brown or 

 black, and occasionally a yelknvish shade, with a peculiar mealy, light-colored hair, running 

 up the face into a smoky hue, when it gradually takes the general color of the body; the face 

 is slightly dishing, clean of flesh, mild and gentle in expression; the eye clear and full, and 

 encircled with a distinct ring of the color of the nose; the forehead bold; the horn short, 

 curving inward, and waxy in color, with black tips; the ear sizable, thin, and quick in move 

 ment. The whole head is original, and blood-like in appearance, more so than in almost 

 any other of the cattle race, reminding one strongly of the head of our American elk. The 

 neck is somewhat depressed would be called ewe-necked by some but clean in the throat, 

 with moderate or little dewlap ; the shoulders are wide and somewhat fagged, with prominent 

 points, running down to a delicate arm, and slender legs beneath; the fore-quarters stand 

 rather close together, with a thinnish, yet well-developed brisket between ; the ribs are flat, 

 y.et giving sufficient play for good lungs; the back depressed and somewhat hollow; the belly 



