60 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



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and have been widely distributed over the United States and 

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

 of cattle known. 



The Jersey is of medium size, though many seem small. 

 Mature bulls should weigh around 1300 pounds, and the 

 cows 850 pounds. These cattle are rather lean and angular 

 in form, having attractive heads, medium long necks, thin 

 withers, prominent shoulders, fairly deep bodies, and thin, 

 narrow hind quarters. The thighs should be thin enough 

 and the hocks stand far enough apart to provide room for a 

 good sized udder on mature cows. The modern so-called 

 island type of Jersey has a beautiful udder, well developed 

 in front, with the teats well placed. Many Jerseys of Ameri- 

 can breeding have poor front udders, and they are criticised 

 for having small and poorly placed teats. The color is 

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

 others very dark and some much lighter yellow. White 

 occurs, though it is not popular, and but few animals have 

 white markings. The most striking features in the appear- 

 ance of the Jersey are the color; the wedge form; the short, 

 dished face ; the prominent, beautiful eye ; the fine bone, and 

 the deer-like character of the calves. The disposition of the 

 cows is very good, but the bulls at maturity are liable to be 

 nervous and are often cross. Jerseys mature very young, 

 compared with other breeds. 



The Jerseys have always been noted for their milk, which 

 is rich in butter-fat, and is usually yellow in color. The 

 skin of these cattle show something of this rich yellow color, 

 especially in the small, wax-colored horns, in the ears, and 

 about the udder. The Jersey produces a fair amount of 

 milk, and many cows have made over 5000 pounds a year 

 each. Quite a number have produced over 10,000 pounds, 

 and Jacoba Irene produced over 17,000 pounds in a year. 



