THE ALDEKNEYS. 133 



its richness. The general facts detailed by Mr. Le Couteur, 

 however, are much as we have related. Their calves are reared 

 in the ordinary way, sucking the cow but a short time, and fed 

 on milk diluted with meal and water, or whey, yet kept with 

 care, and a good supply of food, until fitted for grass. The 

 heifers usually bring their first calves at two and a half to three 

 years old. In short, the Alderneys are calculated altogether for 

 the pail. 



AS A WORKING OX, OR BEEF ANIMAL, 



We leave them out of the question. They are little fitted for 

 either, compared with the best of English breeds, or even our 

 good native cattle. Indeed, they make no special claims for 

 those purposes, although used to some extent for both in their 

 native lands. Here, we do not think of them in these connec- 

 tions. That the cow, out of milk, will fatten to a reasonable 

 carcass, or the steer, if made so, will feed fairly, and produce a 

 tolerable quality of beef, we have no doubt; but as that is not 

 the purpose for which they are sought, or reared, we dismiss 

 thorn as not particularly valuable in either item of labor or food. 



