56 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



in size of the Channel Islands. Like the Jerseys, they are pre- 

 sumably descended from the cattle of France. A century ago 

 the cattle on the islands of Jersey and Guernsey were practi- 

 cally the same in form and color, but even then the Guernsey 

 is said to have been a little larger. In 1819 laws were passed 

 prohibiting the importation of cattle into Guernsey, and since 

 that time the breed has been kept pure. 



Professor Low, writing in 1841, says the cattle of Guernsey 

 and Jersey were at that time essentially the same, although he 

 further describes the former as being larger, the form rounder, 

 and the bones less prominent than with the cattle on Jersey 

 Island. He also refers to the unusually orange yellow skin 

 and yellow milk and butter. It appears from his writings 

 that these two breeds at that date were nearer together in 

 type than is now the case, but that the Guernseys showed 

 the same characteristics in general as at present. 



The Guernseys have been taken to England in consider- 

 able numbers, and are used considerably, especially in the 

 southwestern part, but on the whole are of little importance 

 in that country from a dairy standpoint on account of their 

 comparatively small numbers. They are not found elsewhere 

 in Europe to any extent. 



Conditions in Guernsey. The conditions on Guernsey 

 Island are practically the same as in Jersey. The Island is 

 second in size of the Channel group, and has a population of 

 about 41,000. It is ten miles long, with an area of about 

 16,000 acres, of which 12,000 are tillable. The climate is a 

 little more severe than that of Jersey, as it is exposed toward 

 the northwest. The south coast rises from 200 to 400 feet 

 above the ocean, and slopes to the level of the ocean on the 

 north. 



