270 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



Jersey. There are perhaps 60,000 people on the island. 



Jersey cattle are supposed to have originated from stock 

 in the neighboring districts of Normandy and Brittany in 

 France. They have been kept pure of blood for much over 

 a century. As early as 1763 the people on the island adopted 

 laws to regulate the importation of cattle from France. For 

 a very long time no foreign cattle have been allowed to enter 

 Jersey, except such as were butchered within 24 hours after 

 landing. In 1833 the people organized a society to improve 

 the agriculture of the island, and the next year they drew 

 up a scale of points for the bulls and cows. Since then it 

 has been changed and improved a number of times. The 

 people made notable progress in improving their cattle, and 

 no doubt the competition of the show ring and the butter 

 and milk tests which were established inspired them to study 

 to secure this improvement. 



The Jersey was first brought to America about 1850, 

 Connecticut and Massachusetts men being the importers. 

 Since then large numbers have been brought to this country, 

 and have been widely distributed over the United States and 

 Canada, so that now this is the most common dairy breed 

 of cattle known in North America. 



The characteristics of the Jersey are as follows : The size 

 is medium, though many seem small. Mature bulls should 

 weigh from 1,300 to 1,400 pounds, and cows 850 to 900 

 pounds, though many animals exceed these weights. The 

 color is fawn, but of various shades, some being the color of 

 the deer or lighter, others very dark, approaching black. 

 White occurs, though it is not popular in America, and but 

 comparatively few animals show distinct white markings. 

 The form is distinctly of the dairy or triple wedge type. The 

 head is very attractive, having a somewhat large and promi- 

 nent eye, a dished face and small refined horn; the neck is 

 thin and of medium length; the withers thin; shoulders 

 somewhat prominent; body of moderate depth and feeding 



