DOMESTIC ANIMALS, 6:>a 



over 40 lbs. of milk per day, but we set a higher value on others which yield less, 

 but whose butter average for the year is greater. " 



Remarks. — There may be an occasional cow of other breeds, or possibly, a 

 native, which gives an excellent yield, but the best general average belongs, 

 undoubtedly, to the Jerseys. Only think of it, many Jersey cows have an 

 average of from 9,000 to 10,000 lbs. of milk in a year. The well known Jersey 

 cow, "Belle," owned by Mr. Elms, of Scituate, Mass., through the summer 

 averaged 1 lb. of butter to 5 qts. of milk, and in December 4 qts. made 1 lb. of 

 butter; but, suppose it took 5 qts., and she gave even only the 9,000 lbs., and 

 as " a pint is a pound the world round," Belle's yield of butter for a year would 

 be 900 lbs. Is there any wonder, then, that Mr. Elms sliould have refused 

 $3,000 for her? The Board of Agriculture of the State (Mass.), speaking of 

 this celebrated Jersey in their report for 1876-7, say, that, " in March she made 

 193^ lbs. of butter per week; 16 in June, 14 in September, and in December, 10 

 months from calving, and due to calve again in 2 months, made 1 lb. of butter 

 daily." I have mentioned these facts that our readers may see the possibilities 

 of the Jerseys, and that they may strive to reach the same point of excellence, 

 by always saving the best calves for dairy and breeding purposes, and to breed 

 from the best bulls that can be obtained, if it is expected to ever have a herd of 

 cows that will pay any considerable sum over and above the expense and care 

 of keeping. What has been done can be done again; but if we do not know 

 what has been done we have no particular point to strive for. Yet it is only 

 proper and right that all shall have an opportunity to judge for themselves, so I 

 will mention what some writer has recently said upon the Durham, claiming 

 superior milking qualities, and also an advantage for " beefing," as they see it 

 in Ontario, for tliey, like the English, are great on beef, and fat at that. After 

 giving an item from the Toledo Post, of what the Canadians think of the Dur- 

 hams, I will also speak of one formerly owned by myself. The item was given 

 under the head of 



Durham Cows, Their Value for Milk and Beef.—" In Ontario, 

 Canada, considerable attention is being paid to raising Durham cows, on 

 account of their superior milking qualities, and for their good beefing. It is 

 claimed that a 9 year old Durham, fed on ground grain, with bran and grass, 

 will give 30 lbs of milk at a morning's milking, and from 15 to 16 lbs. of butter 

 is made weekly from her milk: The mixture of the Durham breed with the 

 pure Canadian improves the beefing power of the animals, but decreases the 

 quantity of milk. In regard to beefing, however, the Durham is far more 

 profitable than the Alderney — Jersey." 



Remarks. — Just at the close of the late war I owned a remarkably fine 

 Durham cow. She was not only an excellent milker, but was an easy keeper, 

 and above all was remarkably kind; almost affectionate, if I may be allowed 

 the expression, in relation to a cow. She would follow me, not only from 

 place to place, about the lot. but if she saw me going to town, while she wa.s 

 at liberty, she would follow me, and even into a store, if I had occasion to go 

 in, unless I set a clerk to stand by the door to keep lier out. I had to do this 

 several times, when she would see me start off, and I not see her in time to shut- 



