MILCH COWS. 79 



and Vermont, cheaper than we could raise them, but the compara- 

 tive value between veal calves and two year old heifers, has altered 

 much since the railroads have come into use. A few years since 

 we could buy the best of heifers from the droves in Autumn, for 

 about twice the price of a good veal calf in the Spring. Then it 

 was better for us to buy heifers than to raise them ; but now we 

 find but few good heifers in the droves. Either they are not sent 

 here, or the high price of beef has caused the butchers to get the 

 best of them, so that all we get are those whose hides are so close 

 to their ribs that the butchers dare not attempt to separate them. 

 If this state of things continues, we shall be obhged to some extent 

 to raise stock in this county. 



It may be well for us to consider the merits of the different breeds 

 of cattle, and see if any can be found better adapted to our wants, 

 than those commonly called native Cows. Although there are 

 many individuals among them of superior milking quaUties, yet 

 where is there a flock of native Cows, from which we could raise 

 their calves with any degree of certainty that their oifspring will 

 possess the milking properties of the parents ? From the imported 

 stock, which has been long and thoroughly bred, we may raise stock 

 with some such certainty. It may be asked what have the Jersey 

 Cows to recommend them ? There is nothing in their size, form, or 

 color, or external appearance, that would captivate any one. From 

 what we have seen of them when well fed, we should think that if a 

 flock of them were kept in our dry bushy pastures in Summer, and 

 then exposed to the severe cold of our Winter, fed on as poor fare 

 as many of our native Cows get, they would be as ill-shaped, ghastly- 

 looking animals as could be well imagined ; and if he who in his 

 dream upon the banks of the Nile, saw the ill-favored and lean-flesh 

 kine rise before him, when he awoke should have seen a flock of 

 these Cows, he would have said that it was no dream, but a living 

 shadow. But if upon a fair trial, we find them giving better milk 

 and making more butter in a year, than any other breed upon the 

 same expense of feeding, we shall learn not to judge by the outward 

 appearance, but to judge by their real merits. 



There are some objections which may be raised against them, 

 they are not so valuable for beef, and their calves for veal will not 

 be so good as some other breeds. It is said by the importers of this 

 breed, that they continue to give milk all the year. It may be dc 



