THE CHANNEL ISLAND BREEDS 43 



in England, but only a few are used elsewhere in Europe. 

 The first demand for them outside of their native island came 

 from England where they were placed on the estates of the 

 nobility largely on account of their beauty. Even at the 

 present time this breed does not contribute very much to the 

 total dairy products of England. 



Conditions on the Isle of Jersey. Jersey Island is eleven 

 miles long and about nine wide. Its area is 36,680 acres, 

 of which 25,000 are tillable. The population is about 60,000. 

 This island rises from the level of the ocean on the south in a 

 long gradual slope to the north side, which has cliffs about 

 200 feet high along the ocean. The climate is mild and even, 

 grass remains green throughout the year and is rather fine 

 and nutritious. The cattle are pastured during the day by 

 the tethering system. From May to October the cows, as 

 a rule, remain outdoors all the time. In winter the cows 

 are out in the daytime and in the evening are housed and fed 

 hay, roots and a small ration of bran, or oil cake. But little 

 grain is fed at any time. 



Two crops at least of some kind are raised each year on 

 the same land. The average annual rental is over $ 50 per 

 acre, and this includes ground occupied by the dwelling house 

 and barn as well as for the cultivated land. The Island was 

 at one time in a very low state of fertility, but its productive- 

 ness has been increased until it ranks among the highest 

 developed agricultural regions in Europe. About 10,000 

 cows are kept on the Island, or one to every 2.2 acres of culti- 

 vated land. 



The cattle have been bred and improved with special 

 reference to butter production for about 100 years. In 1834 

 a scale of points was made out for both cows and bulls and 



