CHAPTER III. 



Development of the Breed on the Island 

 The Island Scale of Points 



The real development of the breed on the Island, as far 

 as we have any history of it, dates from the passage of the 

 laws against the importation of foreign cattle quoted in Chap- 

 ter II. The figures giving the number of animals exported 

 during different periods of time show that nearly a century 

 ago the Guernsey farmer had a lucrative cattle trade with 

 England. As the English buyer demanded an animal with a 

 more finished form, the records show that as early as 1830 a 

 scale of points had already been drawn up with the end in 

 view of making the breed more symmetrical. It was used as 

 a basis of comparison for awarding the prizes at the various 

 shows. 



The records also inform us that as early as 1830 the 

 Guernsey farmers talked of a cow that w^ould give 15 ppunds 

 of butter in a vi^eek ; so it is evident that she was considered 

 most from a dairy standpoint all through the years of her 

 development, but, nevertheless, some attention was paid to 

 the beef quality of the breed, especially of the bullocks. 



Jeremie, writing about 1828, says : "There are certain 

 points of excellence which receive the reward. The following 

 points are the standard by which the judges determine : 



Points 

 "1. Pedigree as well of the bull as of the cow, yellow ^rs, tail, 



and good udder 7 



"2. General appearance, handsome color, cream, light red, or 



both mixed with white 3 



"3. Handsome head, well horned, and bright and prominent eye. . 4 



"4. Deep barrel-shaped body 3 



"5. Good hind quarter and straight back 2 



"6. Handsome legs and small bone 1 



"Total good, or points of excellence 20" 



In the report of the Royal Agricultural Society of Guern- 

 sey, published in 1842, plans are given for the promotion of 

 the agricultural and live stock interests of the island, by the 

 following scales of points for the scoring of bulls and cows: 



Scale for Examining Bulls. 



1. Pedigree of father and mother known to be superior and a 



good butter producer,.. ,,, . .,.,. . ., „ . . 4 



^ Digitized by Microsofm ^ 



