The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-21

prise.
There is abundant evidence that
there was at the time, and ever has
been since, q considerable proportion
of undesirable stock on tho island of
Jersey, although few actually nom
paying COWS arc retained, yet so uni
formly good were the cattle that were
purchased fog these early importations
that to this day most Of tho older
Amcrican-brcd herds built up cxclu-
sively of their blood far surpass in
dairy qualities the average standard
that has been maintained on tho
island, and in special cases compare
favorably with the very best of later
fashionable importations.
But while the general excellence of
tho cattle brought thus early to this
country paved tho way to tho great
popularity of tho breed in America.
the more active causes of the recent
high prices came ut later date in the
shape of several remarkable cases Of
enormous butter capacity shown by
Jersey COWS, which opened the eyes Of
breeders and dairymen to the posi-
bilities within reach of the breed. So
great were some of these reported
yields that for time tho lesson came
near being lost upon the public through
disbelief in their truthfulncss. But
gradually, as one test after another
was claimed, each in its scope sustain
ing the possibility of the others, and as
some of them were vouched for by men
of character and prominence, a few
breeders began to give them credence.
These earlier converts were ridiculed
and made subjects of no little raillcry
for their credullty, but their ranks in
creased in numbers. At length those
who believed began to buy of the
strains of blood that had produced the
COWS for which great tests were
claimed. and others, who possibly did
not believe, also bought, because they
reasoned that there would be dupcs
and spectators enough to mako a
market. No sooner was this point
reached than REIMBURSEMENT of values
began to receive substantial recogni.
ton at the hands of buyers, and tho
element of special blood or family be.
came an important consideration.
This additional Importance of tho
question Of exact pedigree sadly en-
croached upon time-honorea prece.
dents, and took many of the older and
more conservative breeders by sur.
prise. Hardly one of them had had
occasion to study the pedigrees of their
animals enough to have the faintest
idea of their lines beyond the nearest
crosses. Prizc-winnirg at fairs had
heen the highest recognized badge of
merit. This was accomplished Wholly
upon the external appearance Of the
cattle exhibited. A scale of points
had been adopted by tho American
Jersey Cattle Club, and was supposed
to give due credit to each and all .fea-
lures, marks, and traits that, combined
at their maximum, constituted per-
feet animal. This standard was there
fore purely symbalicas, bgt was recog-
nized by common consent as the end
of the law. In addition to the scale Of
points, certain requirements relating
to fancy markings, color, absence Of
wh,te. etc:, based entirely upon esthet-
ic grounds, and bearing no relevancy
to the usefulness of the animals, had
obtained a most arbitrary hold upon
breeding fashions. So far were these
fashions in the ascendency that sellers
made them the chief claim to public
consideration when offering their stock
for sale. Tho appearance that q COW
would present upon the lawn Of a
country residence was studied fea-
ture, and values were much enhanced
by superior qualifications in that di.
rection. Under such circumstances
the breed progressed remarkably Ia
beauty of form and in the development
of that combination of general outward
indications of excellence which in tho
average successfully marks tho good
COW among poor ones, bur which, toe
frequently fails to detect the super:
latively great COW among a herd of
good enea. Nor have these influences
disappeared under tbs new regime.
While they were not in themselves
sufficient to create tho wide popularity
and high prices that were duo to the
butter tests. they still maintain a Sec
ondary force, anu nc. -: =" . modified DE-
gree in conjunction with the latter in
influencing prices. Conlstock, IN
| Hu3t2cy'S Ma0uzi7le for Man.