Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-11-14
FARM AND FIRtsIEDE
~ ausslls| &C 80
The Jersey Cattle.

IN the chicago NdtloHdl Lt0e Ot0ch
Journal, for October, the attention of
breeders of Jersey cattle IS directed to
an important question, an extract from
which will best explain itself. After
remarking, that it is a safe prediction
that the Channel Island COW will become
more popular, and especially more
fashionable, the writer adds:
1t is an important question for Jersey
breeders, whether they will accept the
present standards as the best possible,
and seek to secure uniformity to existing
fashionable models, or whether they
shall attempt to retain the present ex-
celiencies, and also further develop
others. The generally recognized and
accepted claim for the Jersey is, the
production of rich milk-milk contain
ing an unusually large percentage OF
butter, Large yields Of milk are oc-
casionally reported but very generally
the claim is. not quantity, but quality.
Among breeders, we find quite different
standards for judging. One class makes
milk production the great test this to
be shown by actual tests of the indi-
vidual OF her ancestry, Tor else indicated
by the escutcheon, or marks supposed
to indicate excellence in this direction.
Another class attaches great and, I'M
questionably, undue, Importance to
fancy points, noticeably a solid color
and black points. Incidentally, there
has been considerable change in size and
appearance. The average Jersey COW
Of to-dayis larger and good deal more
symmetrical than was the average
Jersey Of twenty years since; but this
change has been somewhat incidental.
Few breeders have made these changes
principal subject.
Of course, it would be exceedingly
unwise to adopt a Short-horn model Of
perfection for the Jersey; butt believe
the greatest utility Of the breed-its
adaptation TO the wants Of the largest
number-can be best secured by giving
more general attention to increasing the
size, improving the form in its adaptation
to meat production, and rejecting color
as an important element in deciding
value. There can be no essential con-
nection between the production of rich
milk and small size. A reasonable
degree Of symmetry cannot be a bar to
excellence in milk production. And,
whatever may be true Of those in some
special circumstances, it is clearly true
that the great majority of American
and English dairymen show, by their
practice, that they do regard the value
Of the carcass, when the COW ceases to
produce milk, as a not unlmportant
element. With the increasing spread of
Jersey bulls, it becomes a more and
more important question-What IS to be
done with the bull calves?
Of the two problems-to secure uni
formity Of color and retain the special
excellence of the breed; or to somewhat
increase the average size and improve
the form for beef making, without in
jury to the milk-giying tendencles--I
would choose the latter, as equally
easy, and vastly the more praiseworthy
attempt. have known Jersey bulls
which weighed l,600 or 100 lbs, and
do not know that they were the less
desirable, as shown by their progeny.
have seen Jersey cows which were
good-looking cows, judged by the ordi-
nary standard, that looks to double
adaptation, which were also good as
producers Of milk rich in cream; as
certainly I have known some most
angular, undesirable COWS. as judged by
the same standard, which were also in
ferior at the pail.