Jersey Cattle and their Management. 
231 
To the heifer the most particular attention was paid ; her milk 
was often too rich for the calf, and her feeding was regulated 
by her work. If she had to support a calf, to give much milk 
besides, and to carry another calf within her, she was generously 
fed ; but immediately the milk began to fall off, the diet fell 
olF too, and this practice was adopted generally with the herd. 
Warmth was considered as essential as food, and a little cake 
was given in extremely cold weather. Exercise was also looked 
upon as most important ; the old people of the village, unable to 
work, earned a few shillings weekly by leading out a cow to 
walk both before and after calving. To this practice was 
attributed the result that no cow dropped, or rather fell, with 
milk-fever. This tendency the Island breeders overcome by the 
system of tethering. The bull often commenced service when 
nine months old ; he was well kept, though lean, as a lean animal 
was preferred to a fat one for use. Mr. Gilbey considers the 
gain of a few months in the calving of heifers of great im- 
portance. It had doubtless been a source of profit to Island 
breeders, for he observed that many of the imported animals 
evidently calved down long before they were two years old. 
Profit was the object of the Islander. The shippers and dealers 
who formerly brought over cows had frequent complaints from 
purchasers of bad udders ; in consequence inquiries arose 
for in-calf heifers, and it thus became the Island breeder's 
object to get his heifers with calf as soon as nature and pru- 
dence permitted. Mr. Gilbey's herd came to the hammer on a 
snowy December morning in 1874. It attracted buyers from 
all parts, and general admiration was expressed at the beauty of 
the cattle. This admiration spoke in golden accents after the 
sale, for the 50 head realised 3240Z. The 18 cows averaged 
90Z. I65. 6<Z., and 255 guineas was given for a cow, and also for 
a heifer. Another made 215 guineas, and a third, "Milkmaid," 
went to America at 155 guineas, where she afterwards became 
one of the most celebrated animals in the States. 
The mantle of Mr. Gilbey's success has fallen on Mr. Simpson, 
of Wray Park ; who has kept a herd for about eighteen years in 
Surrey. He selected, like Mr. Gilbey, the choicest animals, either 
from Island or home-breeders, whenever opportunity offered. His 
system of management and rearing differs somewhat from that 
practised in Essex. He objects to heifers calving under two 
years old ; for, unless rested three or four months, he finds a 
tendency to calve the second calf prematurely. For three or 
four weeks before calving the cow or heifer is placed in a loose 
box, gets oat straw to eat, and is walked out daily. Immediately 
the calf is born, the cow has a rug placed on her for twenty-four 
hours or more, according to the time of year. She receives a 
