The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1893-07-27
JERSEYS FOR THE DAIRY.
PRIZE ESSAY, BY KATHR1NE
HANDKE.

eOhlo Juliet uSlu OI industry must De
opened If they would lift the mortgage
from their homes, or enjoy any of the
comforts and luxuries which wealth
alone can buy.
Many OF these overburdened farmers
have, along with their grain-raising,
dabbled in dairying but, from lack of
care and an understanding OF the laws
of inbreeding, their stock has degener-
ated until the profits, If profits they
may be called, when the cost of keep
ing is considered, amount to the few
necessities of the table.
The fact that good butter always
commands 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 par
ticular branch Of dairying. That there
must first be change in the grade OF
their stock most farmers are convinced
and to those beginners who cannot af- |
ford the time or means to prove which
breed OF cattle is best adapted to their
needs the experience of open-eyed,
truthful men is invaluable. Among the
many breeds whose merits have been
discussed and ADVOCATED by leading
dairymen are the Jerseys. These cat
tie, natives of the Channel Island OF
that name, have been introduced into
our country by the progressive Ameri-
can, who in them the possibilities
OF grander sphere of usefulness than
that of more ornamentation. That they
are particularly we'll fitted for dairy
purposes is shown by the quality of
their milk and the readiness with
which they convert their food into but
ter-fat. 1t has long been conceded by
experienced dairymen-and this is in
deed the Jerseys strong point-that
they produce more butter from given
amount of proper food than any other
breed; and since economy is one OF
the roads to wealth, the man who feeds
dollars worth of food to aJersey COW
and receives in return two dollars for
his labor is nearer his goal than the
possessor of inferior stock, who Oft
. times is not repaid for the food they
eat, to say nothing OF his labor. Then
to change these improbable animals
which yield three or four pounds Of
butter week, for those requiring no
more food or care, and which produce
eight or nine pounds week, is 6
question which ought to command his
immediate attention.
The widespread distribution of Jer-
sey cattle throughout the Unitef
States proves that they are not restrict
ed to any particular climate, and theil
rapid increase proves that they ar
not more susceptible to disease thar
any other breed.
Consumers of milk in cities are NOR
quick to appreciate the difference il
quality between Jersey and ordinar
milk than we would suppose, and the
wonld willingly pay better price
they could be guaranteed the bette
article. That the owner of Jersey pro
ducts could readily create deman
torhis articles is unquestiouable. Why
then, should he not? Now that the pa
rons of many cheese-factories bein!
paid according to the amount of ia
found in their milk, there is an adds
reason why he should not hesitate t
improve his stock. Many people vii
tell you that the high records made b
some Jersey cows are exceptions; bu
it Is not to these special cases, which
you, from lack OF means, perhaps car
not afford to initiate, but to the recor
OF the general Jersey we would hav
you turn for convincing proof that sh
might be your homes salvation. 1t
mistake among amateur dairyme
that they seek to combine the qualiti,
of beef and butter producer. TIL
invariable result in beef-producel
but if he persists in his object, let hi
not tamper with the Jersey, who
mission is strictly that Of butter-mal
ing.