The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-12-24
THE DAIRY.
THE sIMMeNrHALER CROSS.

Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.
A chief of jersey breeders, with a
herd three hundred strong, after nearly
twenty years experience, makes the
following statement:
Il have had constantly brought to
my attention the fact that owing to
persistent inbreeding the stamina and
health of the Jerseys was on yearly
decline, and from the losses in our herd
found that if I wished to retain my
dairy and furnish absolutely pure milk
and butter on the lines that we have
always used, to make each animal pay
for the food consumed and the care
given, we must do something to put
new life in the Jersey ow."-Breeders'
Gazette, Oct. 9, interview with Have
meyer.
This, no doubt, is an uncolored state
ment of facts. Mr.. Havemeyer evi,
dently has been bound to succeed with
his Jerseys. He has imported from
their native land, he has bought from
best strains. he has availed himself of
the best appliances and the best mar
kets-now, without turning from his
purpose, he frankly confesses that if
he wishes to retain his dairy and fur
nish absolutely pure milk and butter
10y pure he evidently means healthful
free from disease germs) he must do
something to put new life in the Jersey
COW.
Had this statement coma from some
unintelligent breeder, without means
or opportunities for success, it would
have little weight. Men without abil-
ity or without sufficient means are
liable to fail, whatever breed they may
handle. Mr.. Havemeyer's failure is
not from such causes. He is, no doubt,
right in ascribing it to the lack of
health and stamina in the Jersey cow
"a lack of constitutional vigor to re-
sist climatic influences and to ward off
contagious diseases lurking in every
section of our country.
This is not matter for rejoicing by
those who handle other breeds. Breed
ers worthy of their calling wish each
other mutual success, and now they
will wish Mr.. Havemeyer success in
his new undertaking.
He proposes to put new life in the
Jerseys by crossing them with Sim
menthalers, breed from Switz 9rland.
What are its characteristics9 From
a report on this breed to our State De
partment by Consul Mason, of Bosle,
Switzerland, I quote and cOndense: "a
COW exhibited at Lucerne in 1881 at,
tained weight of 2, ,494 pounds, the
average weight of thoroughbred COWS
being about 1 400 pounds, though many
chice herds average LOO pounds, and
COWS of i, goo and 1000 pounds weight
are not uncommon. At Roseck, the
insane asylum of Canton Soleuse,
have seen a herd of twenty choice
COWS, kept by the Cantonal govern
ment to supply the asylum with milk
From careful records kept by Superin-
tendent Marti it appears that these
COWS average 81 pounds of milk daily
or 665 pounds each during the year.
This is a maximum record for an entire
herd. In the Alps where the grass is
savory and richest, 25 pounds of their
milk yield pound of butter; in the
valleys the quantity required for the
same purpose varies from % to 80
pounds They grow rapidly and are
mature in their fourth year. They are
of enormous size, compactly and clean
" built, and their fl ssh is finegrained'
tender and savory."
This breed viii undoubtedly be q
valuable acquisition to our country, ]