48 



THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



L 



France. 



GUERNSEYS. 



IKE the Jersey breed, these cattle derive their name from the island which is their 

 original home, Guernsey being one of the Channel Islands, which are in many 

 respects similar, and which, although belonging to England, lie near the coast of 

 The cattle of these several islands are quite similar, although differing in some 



respects, the Guernsey 

 being larger in size 

 and somewhat coarser 

 in form than the Jer. 

 sey, they having a more 

 rounded body and less 

 prominent bones, and 

 seeming to partake 

 more of the character 

 istics of the Normandy 

 races of cattle. Cows 

 of this breed have been 

 known to weigh as 

 high as from 1,200 to 

 1,300 pounds, and beef 

 animals on the island 

 are said to reach 2,000 

 pounds; these weights 

 are, however, consider, 

 ably above the average 

 weight. These cattle 

 are remarkably gentle 

 and affectionate in dis 

 position. On their na 

 tive island, where they 

 are in almost all in 

 stances tethered, their 



care is usually confined to the women and children, which fact probably accounts in 

 a great measure for their extreme docility. 



It is not an uncommon sight on the island to see one woman leading half a dozen cows 

 at once from the barn to the field. These cattle are not as common in this country as the 

 Jerseys, having until recently been imported almost exclusively to England, where they are 

 much prized for private dairies. As they are so closely allied to the Jersey breed, of which 

 a previous and somewhat extended description has &quot;been given, a brief space will only be 

 required for them in this connection. 



Description. The Guernsey cow is generally from one hundred to two hundred 

 pounds heavier than the Jersey, although lacking, to a certain extent, some of the deer-like 

 points that the latter possesses. They are, however, equally mild and affectionate in 

 disposition, even the bulls being very docile. The color is generally orange fawn and white, 

 or orange red and white, although dark breeds and brindles are sometimes seen. The circle 

 about the eyes and nose is generally lighter than the prevailing color, although not white. 



The skin is soft and of an oraners 



tinge when seen through the hair. 



This color is also 



