128 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



Notes on Guernsey cattle ly a Guernsey farmer. Mr. James James, of 

 Guernsey, another breeder of considerable notoriety, sends the follow- 

 ing remarks upon them : 



There can be no more practical question connected with land than that which haa 

 reference to the value of the different breeds of cattle peculiar to the British isles. 

 They may be classified under two heads : the beef producers, and those more especi- 

 ally adapted for the production of milk. To this latter class my remarks have special 

 reference. Probably in no one breed shall we find these two qualifications more fully 

 combined than we do in that which is peculiar to the island of Guernsey. This and the 

 sister island of Jersey form two of the group known as the Channel Islands. They 

 have each a breed peculiar to themselves, which differ widely in many essential 

 points. The Guernsey is the larger of the two and very similar to that bred in Al- 

 derney, another of the islands composing the Channel Islands group. 



The Jerseys for a long time have been designated as Alderneys, but for what rea- 

 son I am unable to explain. This latter island is under the same government as 

 Guernsey, has similar laws, and enjoys the same privileges. Ifcis not so, however, 

 with Jersey, for in this island the government differs. No admixture of the Guernsey 

 and Jersey breeds is permitted. From almost time immemorial the Guernsey cattle 

 have been jealously guarded ; stringent laws have been passed, prohibiting the im- 

 portation of any foreign cattle for breeding purposes, and notwithstanding the various 

 attempts made to repeal them, tlie royal court of the island has always confirmed and 

 strengthened its former prohibitions. Thus under no circumstances whatever can 

 there be any admixture of foreign blood, and the farmer can consequently boast of a 

 breed of cattle eminently pure and distinct, beautiful in appearance, and surpassed 

 by no other in its distinguishing characteristic. As regards its original habitat, 

 opinions differ very widely ; we may, however, reasonably infer that it had its origin 

 in some part of the French continent. It is a matter of history that the islands of 

 Jersey and Guernsey, as far back as the sixth century, were united to the mainland 

 by a single plank. 



This breed of cattle has long been famed for its cream and butter producing quali- 

 ties, and it is also eminently adapted for the shambles when, from age or other causes 

 these valuable properties fail to bo profitable. They are exquisitely delicate in form, 

 in color varying from light-red to lemon and orange-fawn, occasionally black, almost 

 all having a considerable admixture of white. In individual cases it 'is black, encir- 

 cled with light-colored hair. 



The most approved points of a Guernsey may be considered to be as follows: Head 

 small but long ; eye bright, lively, but placid ; horns small and well turned upwards, 

 being fine, yellow, and waxy at the bases ; ears small and thin, with fine thin hair and 

 a deep golden color inside ; nostrils open ; neck long and slender, tapering towards 

 the head ; shoulders thin ; forequarters light ; limbs delicate ; back straight and 

 broad behind ; tail fine and thin, set on at right-angles with the back ; hide thin and 

 mellow to touch ; carcass deep and well let down ; hindquarters full and large ; udder 

 cap'acious, broad, and square, well in line with belly and stretching well forward, 

 not fleshy, silky with fine down or hair ; milk veins very large and prominent ; teats 

 large and strutting outwards and well apart ; the general figure compact, wedge- 

 shaped ; skin tinged with a deep orange-yellow throughout, especially marked inside 

 the pastern joint. . To these essential points may be added thoso tests as shown by the 

 Guenon theory, and which when properly understood and applied are most valuable 

 as indicative of milk-producing properties. 



The opinion of the Guernsey farmer is much divided as to what may bo considered 

 the most approved points of the male animal. Some prefer the bull which possesses 

 many of the points as approved in the female ; others, those of the more masculine 

 type. Since the superiority of the Guernsey cow for dairy purposes is so generally 

 admitted, we must not, I think, be guided so much in our selection by what may be 

 the approved points of excellence in the individual animal as by a knowledge of his 

 parentage, and this knowledge becomes of still more importance when we consider 

 that the male undoubtedly acts the principal part in impressing his character upon 

 the offspring. 



Of late years there has "been a very marked improvement in the cattle throughout 

 the island. The breeder has become more alive to the value of his cattle, and, stimu- 

 lated by a very large and increasing demand both from England and abroad, he has 

 devoted increased care and attention to the breeding and rearing of his stock. Where 

 careful and intelligent breeding has been pursued, selecting fitting sires and dams, a 

 very marked and increasing excellency has been stamped upon the progeny. Earlier 

 maturity, increase of size, a more fully developed lacteal system, and a stronger con- 

 stitution have been the result, and with perseverance in such a course these essen- 

 tials will become intensified. 



Two herd-books have been established, one on the principle of selection and the 

 other in the form of a register, admitting within its pages all cattle in the island 



