Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-06-13
Dutch Cattle-.-The Jarvis Stock, Etc.

E. w. b., Of Moretown, writes :" A Boston
gentleman has lately sent l.. r. Joslin black
and white heifer calf of the Dutch breed
Seeing this calf reminded me of my boyhood
days. The first steers that | ever broke
were black and white grade Dutch. As
early as 1910, or 1911, William Jarvis i'm.
ported and brought into Vermont this breed
of cattle. What Vernonter, old or young,
that has not heard of Consul Jarvis, of
Weathersfeld Bow ? He was horn and edu-
Gated in Boston, was United States minister
to Portugal from 1900 to 1910, and during
those troublous times in Europe, it was said,
became vastly rich. On his return he i'm
ported Merino sheep, Dutch cattle, shepherd
dogs ETC., and located on that beautiful
tract known as Weathersfield Bow, where he
spent the residue of his days. | once heard
Boston editor say in the village hall, Mont
pelier, that the State of Vermont ought to
erect an enduring monument to his memory
as successful agriculturist If ! am ever
called upon To contribute for that purpose
shall be disposed TO argue the question lit
tie before do it. That Vermont has reason
to be proud Of the talents of Consul Jarvis
none who knew him will question for mo-
ment. Cali him man of vast powers OF
mind call him, if you please, the greatest
statesman that ever breathed the air OF
Vermont but don't call him successful
farmer.
:" But | was going to tell what | knew
about the Dutch cattle These were known
in Windsor county and on the borders of
New Hampshire as the Jarvis breed. They
were mostly of black and white color, but
some were coal black. The steers were hardy
and spirited, aud some made very large oxen
A Mr., Hubbard had one that was claimed
to weigh four thousand pounds, and Mr.,
Letchfeld, of Weathersfed, another of about
the same size. When he had got him grown
and fattened, the drovers would not give
him quite what he thought he was worth.
So the old man rugged him two-wheeled
carriage, took his feed with him, and clad in
his long, striped frock, started for Brighton
market. His novel appearance drew the
crowd around him wherever he stopped, so
the old fellow placed his OK on exhibition
and made profitable voyage.
whether the full bloods made the best of
dairy cows | am not sure. Many of the
grades made valuable cows. | drove one
from Windsor county that was black as coal,
fine, glossy hair, that was the best COW ever
MIXED. | drove her 10 the first Durham
(Shorthorn) bull that was ever owned in the
Mad River valley. The calf was a nearly
white hefer This heifer | kept until |
raised fifteen calves from her, and not one
mean one amongst them. If | had the same
opportunity would repeat the experiment
of crossing breeds in the same line"
We do not get clear notion from the
above, whether it was the black heifer or her
white calf from which +. w. Is. raised SC
many good cows II from the latter, what
were the sires
The Jarvis stock is still bred pure by
several farmers ia Vermont One fine herd
is owned by Thomas Baker, Esq, of Barton
and are superior dairy animals Whether
they average as well as the milking Short
horns we cannot say. II. G. Cleveland, OF
Coventry, has a good herd OF the latter, and