The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-01-24
Exclusive jersey Blood.

A number Of years since, few breed
ers and importers Of Jersey cattle in this
country, conceived the idea Of ruling out
all Attorney cattle that were not able to
show pedigree, as descended directly
from importations from the Island OF
Jersey, as not of the same blood as the
aforementioned Jerseys. Some of the
very earliest importations OF Alderney or
Channel Island cattle were in part from
the Isle of Guernsey, or descended from
strains Of that blood.
Among those that thought this just
and desirable was j. Howard McHenry,
of Maryland, one of the oldest and most
extensive breeders of Jersey cattle in the
United States. As a number of Mr.. Nc
Henry's herd were descended from those
early importations that had, or were sup
posed to have some Of the Guernsey blood,
and the action of these breeders that
would rule them out, as not being pure
Alderney, or more strictly Jersey cattle,
the motive of Mr.. McHenry as being
perfectly honorable, could not be brought
into question and we personally know
it to be the fact that many very valuable
animals were disposed ofat low prices from
his herd, as not pure bred, because they
were supposed to have some of the
Guernsey blood, or at least at much less
prices than would have been accepted for
animals from the same herd of like quail
ty without the Guernsey mixture. At
the time the sales were made, the true
reasons were always given why the ami
mails were sold in accordance with honor
able dealings.
Mr.. McIenry has lately visited the
Channel Islands, and the following letter
to Paschall Morris, the editor of the
Philadelphia Practical Farmer. has
somewhat changed his views, and as we
presume, nearly all of the Guernsey strain
from his own herd have been sold in ac-
cordance with his determination years
since no one can accuse him Of interest
ed motives in seeking to abolish the dis
tinction that he himself had sacrificed so
much to establish. 1t now seems that the
very Guernseys are imported into and
bred with the Jersey cattle on that Is
land, and that the distinction sought to
be established in this country is rendered
of no use by the practice Of breeders
there and, that hereafter, cattle will not
be, likely to lose caste by being tinctured
with Guernsey blood, though it come di.
rect from that Isle, instead Of through
the Isle of Jersey. We hope to see the
suggestions of Mr.. McHenry adopted.
GUERNSEY AND JERSEY STOCK.
The article on page 275, in our last
issue, in reference to the forthcoming
Jersey Herd Book, and stating that
Guernsey stock are to be met with on the
Isle of Jersey, has attracted much atten-
ton and some inquiry. Knowing that
j. Howard McHenry, of Pikesville, Nd.
well known as breeder of Jersey cattle
has recently returned from a visit to the
Channel Islands, we addressed him let
ter for information, and have received the
following reply:
Pkesvlle, Nd, Dee. s, 1870.
ITO PAsoHALL Morris:
81 have no hesitation il
endorsing to certain extent the state
ment made by your correspondent, :
on page 275, Dec. number. [ say to @
certain extent, l. e. l saw on two occa
sions at the farm of Mr.. LeGalais, COWS
one at least on each occasion. acknow.
lodged to have Guernsey blood in them
one of these cows, Mr.. LeBas, who &C.
companed me and who is the principa
agent on the island for the purchase ant
sale of cattle, stated that he had himself
selected on the Island of Guernsey fol
Mr. LeGallais. understood then thai
it was admitted in Jersey, that the
Guernsey cows were fully equal to the
Jerseys in richness of milk but die
not think of enquiring what became o
the progeny of these Guernsey cows whel
bred in Jersey, and | therefore am no
prepared to say with your correspondent
that the largest breeders on the Island o
Jersey keep both strains of blood, eros
and export them-though think it ma,
be assumed that the descendants o
Guernsey cows in Jersey grow up will
other calves, and are kept or sold with
out reference to their origin
THE American Jersey Cattle Clul
was gotten up whilst | was abroad an,
the rule was established by its member
that no animals should be admitted t.
registry that could not establish descen
from the importatons from the Island o
Jersey. | was placed on the Executiv
Committee in April last, and found mysel
called upon to carry out this rule but
have thought frequently of proposing t
the Club, at its next annual meeting, {
open its ranks to the owners of animal
Of Guernsey origin, or of mixed BLOOD
and of admitting such animals to registr
in the second volume of the Herd Bool
which should properly styled the Char
mel Islands Herd Book-as the Gu
should take the name of America
Channel Islands Cattle Club" | do ne
know whether the members of I'll
present American Jersey Cattle Gu
would agree to such change. III
Royal Agricultural Society of Englar
offered prizes to Channel Islands cattl
At the show held July, 1870, at Oxfor
nine animals in this class were selected
the judges, six for prizes and three p
serre numbers; five of these nine h;
been bred in England, (of which, two |
VIM. Dauncly, doubtless of Jersey bloc
three in Jersey, and one in Guernsey.
Yours, respectfully,
81. Howard McHENRY."
About the same time the idea of {
tablishing an exclusiveness of Jers
blood in this country was started ia
cy scale of points was also establish
among the knowing (o ones that we
more nice than wise, in that the ga
scale Of points were not maintainabe
animals directly imported as prize al
mails from the Isle of Jersey, with
the required points, would often produ
offspring far below themselves iu the