GUERNSEY CATTLE. 231 



as Gruernsey cattle, since every cow, heifer, and calf imported at 

 Guernsey is immediately branded with the letter F, to signify 

 foreign, and the importer has to deposit the sum of 11., which 

 IS forfeited if the animal is not killed within the given time. 

 If, therefore, a purchaser of Gruernsey cattle ever supposes 

 himself to have been duped, he has only to ascertain positively 

 whether the animals have ever stood on Guernsey soil. If they 

 have, and are branded with the letter F, they are originally 

 from other places ; but if they are free from brand, the pur- 

 chaser may rely upon it they are the genuine Guernsey breed. 

 We repeat, however, that it is absolutely necessary to ascertain 

 for certain that they have stood on Guernsey soil; for tricks 

 have been practised to avoid the branding, by shipping cattle 

 from France to Guernsey, and thence to England, without 

 landing them at Guernsey at all — or, at least, only landing to 

 pass from one vessel to another. 



The most satisfactory method for gentlemen desirous of being 

 possessed of Guernsey cattle is to visit the island for themselves. 

 A splendid choice would be afforded them at the time of the 

 show, which is held annually on Whit-Tuesday, when from 170 

 to 200 head of pure Guernseys may usually be seen ; and no 

 one could witness the sight without being impressed with the 

 beauty and quality of the breed. 



There is another show held on the 20th of December in each 

 year for fat cattle. A good idea of the class of animals to be 

 seen at this exhibition may be gathered from the following list 

 of weights of beef at the 1872 show, it being borne in mind 

 that the quotations given are Guernsey weight, 1021b. of which 

 are equal to 1121b. English. It is, moreover, worthy of note 

 that from the age of two years till within six months of their 

 death the oxen are doing the work of the horse at the cart and 

 the plough. 



