THE GUERNSEY 393 



new 1918 Guernsey scale of points gives twenty points credit for 

 essentially the same features. Some nonpartisan friends of the 

 breed have regarded these figures as too great a proportion of the 

 100 points making up the standard. However, it must be con- 

 ceded that the deep yellow secretions and the thin, mellow, elastic 

 skin of the Guernsey are very important indicators of the superior 

 quality of the animal and its milk. 



The size of the Guernsey may be classed as medium. The tend- 

 ency during the past quarter of a century has been towards in- 

 crease in size. Weight is not usually much discussed by European 

 breeders, but for many years four points have been credited in 

 the standard either to growth or to size, the latter word now being 

 used. No standards of weight, however, are given. The present 

 American scale adopts " about" 1600 pounds for the mature bull 

 and 1 1 oo pounds for the cow as standard weights. In a discus- 

 sion on the subject of weight at the annual meeting of the American 

 Guernsey Cattle Club, May 15, 1918, Mr. Tarbell said : 



It is not material, I believe, whether the Guernsey cow weighs 1050 

 pounds, 1125 pounds, or 1150 pounds; in fact, a looo-pound cow is quite an 

 ideal Guernsey cow. That gives a little latitude, depending entirely upon other 

 things in connection with the matter. Personally, I should like to see it left 

 " about 1 1 oo pounds," and the bull the same way, " about 1600 pounds," if it 

 could be done. Mr. Hill stated that he thought "noo pounds in milking 

 condition a pretty big cow. I think it would be about ideal to strive for." 



The temperament of the Guernsey is superior, the males per- 

 haps being hardly as nervous and irritable as are Jersey bulls, 

 although the dairy temperament is characteristic of each sex. In 

 1899 the American Guernsey Cattle Club adopted standards for 

 each sex, where thirty points were credited to " dairy tempera- 

 ment and constitution," but in the more recent 1918 standards 

 no reference is made to temperament. From the standpoint of 

 disposition the Guernsey is very good, being naturally quiet and 

 easily handled. 



The maturing character of the Guernsey is not remarkable. The 

 young bulls show masculine traits more slowly than the Jersey 

 and reach maturity somewhat later. 



The crossbred or grade Guernsey has its distinctive place on 

 the dairy farm. Crossing of breeds is not advisable, but using 



