LECTURE NO. 33. 



JERSEY CATTLE THEIR LEADING CHARACTERISTICS. 



I. Popularity. 



(1) The Jersey is unquestionably the most popular breed 

 of dairy cattle in America, if numbers are taken as the basis 

 of judgment. 



(2) It. is probably true that Jerseys, excluding Holsteins, 

 outnumber all the other dairy breeds combined. 



(3) This great popularity is to some extent owing to the 

 longer period they have been in the country and to the great 

 enterprise shown in disseminating them, but it is chiefly owing 

 to their intrinsic merit in the dairy. 



II. Adaptability. 



(1) The Jersey is par excellence the cow for the indi- 

 vidual who keeps but one, because .of her gentleness and her 

 easy keeping and unexcelled cream-producing qualities. 



(2) She has also marked adaptation for the dairy, where 

 butter primarily is sought. 



(3) Jerseys can be kept in cold climates, but are better 

 adapted to mildly temperate regions, and they will thrive fur- 

 ther south than some other dairy breeds. 



(4) Although small in frame they should not be kept on 

 sparse or rugged pastures, as they have not the staying powers 

 of the Ayrshires, or Kerries. 



III. Relative size. 



(1) The Jersey is small and deer-like in form, the average 

 weight in the matured cow being under rather than over 900 

 pounds. 



(2) She is the smallest of the dairy breeds in America, 

 save the French Canadian and the Kerry, and the system of 

 breeding and selection practiced for many years would seem 

 to have reduced rather than increased the size. 



(3) In recent years a wise revolt against too small size 

 and over-refinement of frame has set in among breeders in the 

 Eastern states at least. 



(4) As a result the average Jersey of the Eastern states 

 is probably 50 to 100 pounds more than the figures given above 

 in Note ( i ) . 



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