Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sarh. 
55 
In conclusion, they speak of the Jersey cow in the highest 
terms, and admit its pre-eminence for richness of milk over the 
best of theirs ; for whereas in Jersey from thirteen to sixteen quarts 
of milk are sufficient to make two lbs. of butter, tliey admit that 
not less than twenty-eight quarts of milk of their best cows are 
required to make the same quantity. Whether it be through 
delicatesse or otherwise, MM. Girardin and Moliere in their 
report throw out no suggestion on tlie art of farming which the 
Jerseyman might with advantage make applicable to himself: 
still I am led to believe that some changes might advantageously 
take place ; for instance, among the list of imports is an item 
which formerly was one of the principal exports of the island, — I 
refer to the potato : of late years the farmer, anxious to grow 
varieties of this plant which would give a heavy return in weight 
per acre, forgot that it was necessary to maintain good quality, 
otherwise the sale of his produce would be lost. Now French 
potatoes are imported : true it is that as yet the quantity is 
small, but within two years it has increased rapidly, and from 
all appearances it is likely to become important ; these potatoes 
are sold at a cheaper rate than those grown in the island, and 
their quality is preferted by many. iVo doubt that France can 
outvie the island in the cheapness of produce, but it should 
not be so in quality ; let the Jersey farmer cultivate only the 
good sorts, and look to Covent Garden for their sale ; backed as 
he is by Nature in every respect, if he but study early pro- 
ductiveness he can dispose of his produce at prices which will 
remunerate him far better than growing later sorts for foreign 
markets. 
Before the existence of Free-Trade the Channel Islands were 
privileged, inasmuch as their produce entered the British ports 
free from duty, but at present they have to compete against all 
the world ; and whereas com was formerly exported to Britain, 
now on the contrary corn is imported into the islands ; there is 
no doubt whatever that they have all suffered from the change ; 
but it is singular that the value of land in Jersey has not 
diminished, the population has increased, and the demands for 
the island itself are great On the subject of corn it is possible 
that much benefit might be derived by the introduction of new 
sorts of wheat. The " Velouse " and " Petit Blanc " have been 
known in the island for a very long period, since which, no 
doubt, new varieties have been raised that might with greater 
advantage be grown here ; but on this, as well as on all that is 
connected with farming, the agriculturist is so bigoted and wedded 
to his ancient customs as to think improvement abnost impos- 
sible. 
