The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-03-16
THE JERSEY COW.
WHY SHE IS THE BEST.
Practical Points for Those Inter-
ested in Fine Cattle---The Fin
est Milk and Butter Producer.

~ KATHRINE :. IIANDKE.
With the continual decline in the
prices Of all cereals, more farmers are
gradually awaking to the fact that
some other field Of industry must be
opened if they would lift the mortgage
FROM their homes, or enjoy any of the
comforts and luxuricS which wealth
alone can buy.
Many Of these ovcrburdened far
mcrs have, along with their grain
raising, dabbled in dairying; but, from
lack Of care and an understanding OF
the laws of inbrccding, their stock has
degencratcd until the profits, if profits
they may be called, when the cost of
keeping IS considered, amount to the
few necessities Of the table.
The fact that good butter always
commands a steady price, as shown
by the market reports Of any paper,
has led many TO inquire more closely
into the nature and possibilities of this
particular branch of dairying. That
there must first be a change in the
grade Of their stock most farmers are
convinced, and to those beginners who
cannot afford the time or means to
prove which breed of cattle is best
adapted to their needs the experience
of open eyed, truthful men is invalu-
able. Among the many breeds whose
merits have been discussed and ad-
vocated by leading dairymen are the
Jerseys. These cattle, natives of the
Channel Island of that name, have
been introduced into our country by
the progressive American, who saw
IN them the possibilities of grander
sphere OF usefulness than that Of mere
ornamentation. That they are partc-
ularly well fitted for dairy purposes
IS shown by tie quality of their milk
and the readiness with which they
convert their food into butter-fat. II
has long been conceded by expert
enCed dairymcn-and this is indeed
the jerseys strong polnt-that they
produce more butter from given
amount of proper food than any other
breed; and since economy IS one O.
the roads to wealth, the man who feeds
a dollars worth of food to Jersey
COW and receives in return two dollar:
for his labor is nearer his goal thar
the posseSsOr of inferior stock, who
Otttlmcs IS not repaid for the fOOC
they eat, to say nothing of his labor
Then to change these improbable
animals, which yield three or foul
pounds of butter week, for those re.
qulrlng no more food or care, anC
which produce eight or nine pound:
a week, Is question which ought tC
command his immediate attention.
The widespread distribution O
Jersey cattle throughout the United
States proves that they are not re
stricted to any particular climate, anC
their rapid increase proves that they
are not more susceptible to disease
than any other breed.
Consumers OF milk in cities arr
more quick to appreciate the differ
ence in quality between Jersey anc
ordinary milk than we would suppose
and they would willingly pay better
price if they could be guaranteed the
better article That the owner O
Jersey products could readily create
Il demand for his article is unques
tionable. Why, then, should he not
Now that the patrons of many cheese
factories are being paid according tc
the amount of fat found in their milk
there is an added reason why he should
not hesitate to improve his stock
Many people will tell you that the
high records made by some Jersey
COWS are exceptions; but it IS not tc
these special cases, which you, from
lack of means, perhaps can not afford
to initiate, but to the record of the
general Jersey we would have you
turn for convincing proof that she nigh
be your homes salvation. 1t is mis-
take among amateur dairymen tha
they seek to combine the qualitie:
of a beef and butter producer. Thu
invariably results in 4 beef producer
but if he persists in his object, let hin
not tamper with the Jersey, whost
mission is strictly that Of butter
making.
There is much for the beginner tc
learn concerning the proper food anc
care OF the Jersey, and there is nc
better means than through the column:
of some good dairy paper, rich witt
the experience and counsel OF mer
who have made these cattle a CRANE
success.
Their beauty, their gentleness, and
above all, the superior quality of theil
milk, justify them in their claims tc
the title of "dairy- queens and
make them desirable object in the
eyes of the contemplative buyer. TIC
possess a Jersey is to be inspired tc
nobleness, and to care for one is tc
be educated to gentleness and an ap.
probation of beauty.