National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-10-27
To the Editor of the Opinion

notice an article in your issue Of the 20th,
from X. G. Bcattie, in regard to the award of
premiums ut the late fair on Jersey cattle
Now do not propose to discuss the merits of
the stJci, on exhibition, or the awarding of
the premiums, My special object is to pre-
-eht facts us they are in regard to the age of
the two hcifls that were on exhibition. At
the Fair Mr. j. IL. Peters heiicrs mouth was
examined and she presented four wide wide
teeth, and Mr., j. c, Stcarns's heilcr presented
only two wide teeth; aud the committee
claimed that one animal was two years old
and the other three. Now for the facts
Mr.. Peters heiler was represented by card
OF her pen, rs being two years old the ith day
of last May.-Recordcd in Vol t. American
Jersey Herd Book, since which time an aiiida-
Wit from Mr.. John HILL the gentleman in Mass.
that bred the hefcr and sworn to in the pres.
ence of Justice has been published in the
Opinion. Mr.. Stcarns's hcifer was cIvcd, ac.
cordug to his record, june Sd, 1869: thus
| muking Mr.. Peters hcifer 20 days the oldest,
the present time, % days later than the
heifers were on exhibition Mr. Stearus's heit-
CT presents / wide teeth, the same az Mr.. Pc
tiers htitcr did at the Fair, Sept eth thus
showing the rapid growth of the teeth at this
particular age. Now, claim that any gen
tlcman who will examine the mouths OF the
two animals in question, VIII not for moment
hesitate to pronounce them the same age.
Now for authority on the age of animals -
Ii anJ gentleman will examine Youatt and
Martin on Cattle, published in New York in
1850, ia copy of which may be found in Brad
ford Agricultural Lihrary,l on page 1872 he will
find the following. Mr.. louatt says:
The mouth at eighteen months old, the two
| permanent central incisor> are coming up, and
! the other six milk teeth remain. At this time
also, the second pair of inci,ors have almost
attained their proper size but not thoirproper
form. The process of absorption will still be
suspended with regard to the two outside
pairs of milk teeth, but will be rapid with re.
gard to the second pair, and a little after the
commencement of the second year, they will
disappear
The cut in Mr.. Youatt's work represents the
two years old beast with tour incisOrs and
| four milk teeth. Now the remaining milk
wv" WIN 'iHiiuloH NtiN ihst' pHl hho" no
disposition TO give way. And at three years
old there Mill be six permanent incisors The
three years old mouth thcL, as represented on
page 1913 Of Mr. lOuatt's work, presents six
wide teeth,
Now we claim to make three definite points,
which we defy any candid man to refutc:--
LIST, The gentleman of uuqucstioncd verac-
ity states the age of the hcter he bred ana
sold to Mr.. Peters, thus justfyng MIR. Peters
in presenting his animal in the class of > yrs
old hciicrs
Cd, Mr. Stcarnss hcifcr shows the same
number OF wide teeth how, that the heifcr Mr.
= tiers had on exhibition did weeks ago.
3d, Mr.. Youatt claims that a 3 yrs old ami
nal will have six wide teeth.
Now | do not intend to reflect upon the
honest intentions of the committee in the mat
ter, but simply bring up these. facts to show
those interested and the public generally. that
to be mistaken on tn age Of an animal at this
particular age. is quite common. \ ..aiu wish
TO put IL subject in such light that any one
who viii lake the trouble to examine tho two
heifers mouths now, will be convinced And
| will venture to say, that next year at this
time, both the animals in question will have
six permanent .ncisors, and will he judged as
beng of the SAME age.
Yours, for the Jerseys,
ly- This subject will be considered closed
after next weok.-ED