GUERNSEY CATTLE. 227 



The farms of the island being limited in size, it is found neces- 

 sary to tether the cattle, whereby they lose much of that exercise 

 and freedom which would tend to larger growth. They are also 

 by this means too frequently exposed to excessive heat or cold 

 without the possibility of choosing the necessary shelter. Not- 

 withstanding these drawbacks, it is really remarkable how well 

 the animals have always thriven. So great is the demand for 

 this breed that, on an average, 700 cows and heifers, with about 

 a dozen bulls, are annually exported. 



It is very essential that purchasers of Guernsey cattle should 

 know the character and reputation of those through whom they 

 purchase, inasmuch as the demand has at times induced fraudu- 

 lent exporters to resort to practices by which other breeds have 

 been only too successfully palmed off on the unwary. The pure 

 G-uernseys are chiefly exported through the Messrs. Fowler. 



It is interesting to trace from the annals of the island how 

 extremely jealous the native inhabitants have ever been of the 

 reputation of their cattle, and how, when the importation of 

 foreign cattle for breeding purposes has been suggested, the 

 farmers have been alive to the mischief that would ensue, and 

 have not rested until an Act of the Eoyal Court has been passed 

 to prohibit the introduction of such element, and impose heavy 

 penalties on those who may attempt it. 



Early in the present century a feeling was prevalent among 

 certain commercial inhabitants of the town of St. Peter Port 

 (not natives of the island) that the importation of cattle from 

 France and other neighbouring countries would tend to improve 

 the local markets by reducing the price of butcher's meat ; also 

 that it would enable the islanders to increase their export trade, 

 since the Guernsey breed was in such good repute, and the 

 limited admixture of foreign breeds would but very slightly, if 

 at all, deteriorate the purity, and, while Guernsey blood prepon- 

 derated, would certainly not detract from the quality. These 

 individuals, therefore, petitioned the Eoyal Court to repeal the 

 stringent laws which had for many years been in force regarding 

 the importation of foreign cattle, and allow, under certain con- 

 ditions, the introduction of bulls, cows, and heifers from other 

 countries. Immediately on this movement becoming known, a 

 counter-agitation was set on foot, and we find the inhabitants of 



Q 2 



