LECTURE NO. 29. 



GUERNSEY CATTLE THEIR ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 



I. Guernsey cattle are so named from the isl- 

 and of Guernsey, one of the Channel island group off 

 the northwest coast of France. 



(1) Like the Jersey, they are supposed to be descended 

 from the cattle of Brittany and Normandy, but more par- 

 ticularly from the latter. 



(2) For many centuries they have been bred without 

 admixture of alien blood. 



(3) Through long years the importation of cattle to 

 Guernsey from any quarter except for purposes of slaughter 

 has been strictly prohibited. 



II. The climate of the island of Guernsey is 

 less genial than that of Jersey, hence something more 

 of hardihood in development has been sought. 



(1) The extreme length of Guernsey is ten miles, and it 

 contains only 16,000 acres of land and rock surface. 



(2) The growing of cattle and dairy products is the chief 

 concern of the farmers. 



(3) In 1896 the total number of cattle on the island was 

 5262, and yet many animals are exported every year. 



III. Management of cattle in Guernsey. 



(1) In the summer they are tethered in the fields, which 

 partially explains their great docility. 



(2) In winter, hay is supplemented with roots and meal 

 and bran. 



IV. Improvement of Guernseys. 



(1) For more than a century the improvement of Guern- 

 seys has been carefully sought in their island home. 



(2) The outcome of these efforts is increased size, earlier 

 maturity and a more fully developed lacteal system. 



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