Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-05-23
HCLSTsINS AND JERSEYS.
The Relative Merits OF the Two Celebrated
Breeds.

The Relative Merits of the Two Celebrated
Breeds.
Tie Holstein and Jersey breeds are mon
uments 10 the skill of the originstors and
breeders, not only because the breeders
have been enabled to hand down to posterity
improved stock superior to that which is ma
tive and we'll known but because the two
breeds have been adapted to special and
distinct purposes. The Holsteins, though
unknown in this country few years ago,
have displaced the Ayreshires, which for
merly stood at the head of milk-producing
families. The Holstein possesses many
advantages over the Ayreshires, among
which are large size, uniformity OF color
and richness OF milk. Although credited
with the largest milk records, the
Holsteins have rivslled the Jerseys as
buttsr-mskers, and at one time q
Holstein w-Mercedes-hel1 the position
of champion butter COW in the world. Nor
is she an exception, for while the present
records of the Jerseys for days and weeks
are wonderful, yet the Holsteins have rival
ed them when the tests were made for long
periods. As beet cattle they are not interior
and as oxen they equal the Devons. Their
great merit is in their ability 10 give large
quantities of milk, in which they excel ali
other breeds; but they combine so maay de-
sirzble qualities that they may b. regarded
as high rank OF general purpose cattle,
which heretofore has been beyond the reach
Of any clans OF stock.
TIE Jerseys have been greatly improved
within the past ten years by strict system
of breeding close to the best butter produc-
ing families. The recent feat of Princess
I'd, in which she made record OF over
forty six pounds of butter in one weak, has
placed the ability of the Jerseys beyond any
doubt, and, as her record is being followed
closely by other cows of that breed, we can
not as vet fix any limit which they should
not pass. While the Jerseys are admitted
to be the best butter.producers, yet they do
not Weld milk largely, which is not favor
able 10 them, as the milk of itself possesses
a value in addition to the butter produced
from it. A COW that produces twelve
quarts of milk, which gives one pound OF but
ter, does better than one that yields six
quarts of milk, from which pound of but
ter is derived, though the common practice
is to reverse these conditions and give Inc
preference to the cow that produces the
largest amount of butter from the smallest
quantity of milk If the Jerseys were heavy
mixers such rule would be in their favor,
ont o. they must compete with the great
yields of the Holsteins, from which large
Quantities of butter are made, it is DIS
puted question whether the future IS more
promising to the Holsteins or to the Jerseys
as butter producers. ,n
The excellent qualities possessed oy ootn
breeds, however, show what may be done oy
careful selection Of the best animals, adaer'
ing closely to certain strains that excel IN
the most desirable characteristics. Inc
originators OF the many breeds oflmproyed
stock have conferred great benefits on hu,
manity, They have divided and CLASSIFIED
our domestic stock into families, or breeds
for certain purposes, and each breed IS gwen
;ts own talent, which it may prove. The
Holsteins and Jerseys for milk aud
butter, the Shorthorus and Heretords Tor
beefthe Merinos for fine wool the numerous
Downs for mutton, the Berkshlres tor hams,
he thoroughbred horse for speed, the
CIvdesdales and Percherons for heavy draft:
and the various breeds of poultry, received
their inherent excellence through the agent
of the breeders, whose skill and Judgment
have added millions to the wealth OF the
civilized world. The value of the milk and
butter alone produced in this country ex,
ceeds that of the capital Of the national
hanks, and it is greater than the value OF
the crops of wheat or the products OF the
iron interests; and yet dairying is only IN
4 ifs infancy.