142 THE STUDY OF BREEDS. 



V. Early maturity. 



(1) These cattle are slower in maturing than any of the 

 dairy breeds yet introduced into the United States, owing 



(2) To the unameliorated conditions under which they 

 were kept in former years. 



VI. Grazing qualities. 



(1) These are of the very highest order because of their 

 natural activity and hardihood. 



(2) Kerries will prove profitable under conditions where 

 nearly all dairy breeds would fail. 



VII. Feeding qualities. 



(1) High feeding qualities are claimed for Kernes by 

 some British writers, but probably on insufficient grounds, 

 although 



(2) Kerry cows will fatten quickly when dry. 



VIII. Value in crossing and grading. 



(1) Their highest value in crossing and grading in this 

 country would probably be found in mating Kerry sires with 

 common animals kept in semi-mountainous regions, with a 

 view to improving their milking qualities. 



(2) On good grazing lands it would seem wise to main- 

 tain larger breeds. 



IX. Breeding qualities. 



(1) These are of the first order, owing 



(2) To the unartificial nature of the conditions of their 

 environment. 



X. Weak points. 



(1) The chief of these are their small size and slowness 

 in maturing, but 



(2) In both respects they are being improved. 



XL Compared with the Jerseys. 



(1) They are not to be compared to the Jerseys in the 

 general estimate of the public, in general adaptation or in the 

 field that lies before them for crossing and grading, and they 

 are not equal to them in size or maturing qualities, though 

 nearly equal in the quantity of the milk produced, but 



(2) They are far ahead of Jerseys in vigor of constitution, 

 in ability to "rough it" under adverse conditions, and they are 

 something ahead in easy keeping and in feeding qualities and 

 in the ability to breed with unfailing regularity. 



