DAIRY CATTLE AND THE DAIRY FARM 



TABLE 34. GUERNSEY RECORDS 



107 



Jersey. The Island of Jersey supports about 13,000 cattle. 

 The Jerseys like the Guernseys are believed to be descended from the 

 French cattle of Normandy and Brittany. It is probable that the cattle 

 of the Channel Islands were at one time essentially alike and as the two 

 breeds have been developed under practically identical climatic conditions 

 the differentiation of the cattle is the result of the different ideals of the 

 breeders in Guernsey and Jersey. While the Guernsey breeders were 

 striving for uniformity of type and improved production, the Jersey 

 breeders aimed at evolving an animal of refined type and perfect form. 

 Both have been successful in developing breeds famed for high and eco- 

 nomical fat production. In America, Jerseys have been very popular but 

 American breeders have paid less attention to form and more to produc- 

 tion than those of Jersey; consequently there are in America two types 

 of animals, the small shapely ones, imported from the Island and the 

 coarser plainer type produced here. In the show ring the standard of 

 judging has been such as to establish the success of the imported animals 

 while the records for production of the cattle of the American breeders 

 has surpassed those of the Island type both in their native land and here. 

 The future success of the breed in the United States as a practical dairy 

 animal seems to depend on the wise development of the American type. 

 As a persistent milk producer and as a family cow, the Jersey is unexcelled. 



The animals are lean and graceful with the wedge shape markedly 

 developed. They give the impression of having much capacity and 

 power in a small body. In proportion to the size, the barrel is large and 

 the ribs well-sprung. The udders are mellow, and milk out well, but not 

 a few of the cows show a weak fore udder, though this is by means gener- 

 ally true, for others leave nothing to be desired in this respect. The 

 head is rather short and broad between the eyes which are prominent; 

 the face is slightly dished. The color of the animals runs from gray 

 through fawn to a dark brown. Some excellent animals are brindled 



