24 THOROUGH-BRED STOCK. 



though a recent favorite among ns, are an old importation into 

 England — are mentioned incidentally in volumes of the last cen- 

 tury, and have been brought to this country by captains of ves- 

 sels, for use on the voyage, for more than thirty years. This 

 breed is derived from the group of beautiful islands pertaining 

 to the British crown, which He near the shores of France, in the 

 bay formed by the coasts of Normandy and Brittany. The 

 islands are four : Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey, and Sack ; and 

 from the largest and richest, (Jersey), our more recent importa- 

 tions have arrived ; and, as by a law of that island, no cow, 

 heifer, calf, or bull can be taken into it from elsewhere, the indi- 

 genous breed must be pure. The breed of Guernsey differs 

 from the others, having more spreading horns, size of the ani 

 mal larger, form rounder, and bones less prominent, and the whole 

 carcass coarser, and presenting but few of the peculiarities of 

 the graceful Alderney or Jersey cow. As is well known, these 

 cows are now great favorites, are increasing in numbers, and sell 

 for good prices, and estimated as well for their diminutive size, 

 and deer-like head, body, and limbs, as for their richness of but- 

 ter. The late John A. Tainter, of Hartford, Ct., as early as 

 1850, made the first large importations, and their descendants 

 have always been highly esteemed ; but in all probability the 

 finest animals of this breed in the world are now owned in the 

 eastern part of Massachusetts. The herd of Mr. Brooks, of 

 Princeton, was well represented at Fitchburg, and there were 

 several other fine animals belonging to other owners. 



It is not necessary for us to refer to the Devons, another fa- 

 vorite in special localities; nor to the Holsteins, now coming into 

 notice, through the exertions of Mr. Chenery, of Belmont, as 

 they were not represented on this occasion. 



Perhaps we have dwelt too long on the subject of improved 

 stock ; but when it is considered that in England, by improved 

 breeding, the capital of the country invested in bovine stock has 

 increased in value two-fold during the present century, merely 

 by the earlier maturity of the young intended for beef — a steer 



