128 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



main out of doors the greater part of the year and are often milked 

 in the fields. Very little grain is fed, but in addition to grass and 

 hay the cattle are liberally supplied with roots chiefly parsnips, which 

 are abundantly grown for this purpose. Under these conditions a 

 breed of highly organized, delicate, and gentle cattle has been devel- 

 oped. 



A few Jersey cattle, then generally known as Alderneys, were 

 brought to the United States prior to 1840, 'but importations did not 

 become active until after the middle of the century. Connecticut, 

 Massachusetts, and New Jersey led in introducing this breed to Amer- 

 ica, and from 1860 to 1890 importations were very numerous. Year 

 after year the little home island exported 2,000 animals or more, 

 nearly all coming to this country. Jerseys have been so numerously 

 imported, have increased so rapidly in America, have been so largely 

 used for grading ; and have proved so remarkably well adapted to a 

 wide range of climate, that the characteristic markings of no other 

 breed can be so frequently seen wherever dairy cows are kept, from 

 the St. Lawrence to the Gulf, and from ocean to ocean. 



Characteristics. Jerseys are the smallest in average size of the 

 noted dairy breeds, cows ranging from 700 to 1,000 pounds and the 

 bulls from 1,200 to 1,800 pounds. The average weight of Jerseys in 

 America is considerably more than the average on their native island. 

 In color this breed varies more than any other. For a time there was 

 a craze for solid-colored animals in this country, and many persons 

 have the idea that no pure Jersey has white upon it. This is entirely 

 erroneous. At one time a careful examination of the foundation 

 stock on the Island of Jersey showed that but one cow in ten was solid 

 colored. The proportion is greater in the United States, but there are 

 pure registered Jerseys of all shades of brown to deep black, and of 

 various shades of yellow, fawn, and tan colors to a creamy white ; also 

 mouse color or squirrel gray, some light red and a few brindle. 



This breed is second only to the Guernseys in the abundant 

 secretion of coloring matter, which shows itself on the skin on various 

 parts of the body, makes the fat of the body a deep orange, gives a 

 rich tint to milk and cream, and a strong golden hue to the butter. 

 Jerseys are irregular and sharp in outline, being picturesque rather 

 than symmetrical, with the spare habit of flesh which is deemed fa- 

 vorable to dairy quality and enough muscular development for 

 healthy activity and full digestive force. They are light, quick, and 

 graceful in movement. Those of certain coloring are spoken of as 

 deer-like in appearance and action. 



Jersey cattle are of the nervous order of temperament, highly 

 developed. They are excitable for cause, but the females, when prop- 

 erly treated, are exceedingly placid and docile. The bulls have the 

 reputation of being fractious and difficult to handle after attaining 

 maturity. As dairy animals they are decidedly superior to their 

 Island progenitors. 



Milk and Butter Records. For scores of years Jerseys have been 

 bred especially and almost exclusively for butter. There was no de- 

 mand for milk on the home island, and the whole effort was to in- 

 crease richness and add to the product of butter. In America breeders 



