The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-12-31
AN INSTRUCTIVE LETTER.
The Island of Jersey as Seen by an
American Woman.

Wisconsin'S noted dairy women, Mrs.
Ada F. HOWE, is writing a series of
interesting let ers to the Jersey Bulle-
tin descriptive of her visit to the Is
land of Jersey and Guernsey. The
one which appears in the Bulletin Of
October 81, is peculiarly instructive
in that it shows how much may be
accomplished in dairying on small
areas of land. That is the great les
son the American farmer. need to
study. We must establish in our
minds a better knowledge of jnten-
sive methods. Are present extensive
methods are too expensive, too un-
economical and result in too little rev.
enue fer the expenditure made. Mrs.
HOWE says:
Jersey is the largest of this island
group. 1t is twelve miles wide and
about seven miles in width, and more
than $1,000 people dwell within it's
borders. The land is divided into
small holdings. The largest farms
rarely exceed twenty acres and it is
not unusual to find highly cultivated
plots containing no more than two
or three. st. Heller is the principal
town and boasts of 80, 900 inhabitants,
while charming little villages are scat
tered throughout the Island.
Every land owner keeps one or
more o and the small diaries where
primitive methods are still employed
are a sourc Of pleasure and interest
to curious strangers. The fertility Of
the soil is jealousy guarded and tons
upon tons of sea weed are gathered at
low tide to piead upon fields and
gardens.
Some of the Well Known Farms.
One of the most noted breeders in
Jersey is Mr.. LeBrOcq. His nero con
tanned thirty animals that had been
carefully selected for dairy qualities.
His methods of care and feeding were
mich the same as practiced in Guern-
sey.
At Grouville I found a number Of
small farms so skillfully conducted
that the results would prove a revela-
ton to the American farmer who be-
lieves that nothing less than a half
section can yield a comfortable living
to the average family.
Among these farms vas one that
had been managed by a woman for
some years, Mrs. F. P. Valpy. Twelve
cows gave their assistance in keeping
up the excellent reputation Of her
dairy, and the young stock was hand
some thrifty creatures. Everything
about the place indicated a prosper.
GUS condition. Her dairy room was
neat and attractive-a De Laval sepa.
rator and modern churn spoke elo.
%quently Of modern methods. A mum.
Der of her cows had been highly com
mended by the Cattle Clubs Examin.
ing committee, and Theresa, Susanna
and Susanna I'd were the favorite pets
Her home was a model of cleanliness
and artistic beauty, and the cordially
lproffered cup of tea was as a nectar
to the stranger in 4 strange land
Mr.. Bree's Model Farm.
At Larocque q model farm is to be
seen. It Is owned by Mr.. Bree and
Is of the largest on the Island
containing twenty acres. and in add
ton to his own land Mr.. Bree rents
ten more. As two crops are always
grown, 1t may be counted as double
acreage. The frst crop of potatoes IL
planted In February and March and
natures in time to raise q second
crop Of tomatoes, mangolds o carrots
An orchard adds materially to the
revenue, and. In addition 70 thirty
head Of choice cattle, a goodly mum,
Der OF hogs and a flock Of profitable
poultry r kept.