straight below the hocks, with bones rather fine,
squarely placed, and not too close together; hoofs small; udder full in
size, in line with the belly, extending well up behind; teats of medium
size, squarely placed and wide apart, and milk-veins very prominent. The
color is generally cream, dun, or yellow, with more or less of white,
and the fine head and neck give the cows and heifers a fawn-like
appearance, and make them objects of attraction in the park; but the
hind quarters are often too narrow to work well, particularly to those
who judge animals by the amount of fat which they carry.
It should be borne in mind, however, that a good race of animals is not
always the most beautiful, as that term is generally understood. Beauty
in stock has no invariable standard. In the estimation of some, it
results mainly from fine forms, small bones, and close, compact frames;
while others consider that structure the most perfect, and therefore the
most beautiful, which is best adapted to the use for which it is
destined. With such, beauty is relative. It is not the same in an animal
designed for beef and in one designed for the dairy or for work. The
beauty of a milch cow is the result of her good qualities. Large milkers
are very rarely cows that please the eye of any but a skillful judge.
They are generally poor, since their food goes mainly to the production
of milk, and because they are selected with less regard to form than to
good milking qualities. The prevailing opinion as to the beauty of the
Jersey, is based on the general appearance of the cow when in milk--no
experiments in feeding exclusively for beef having been made public,
and no opportunity to form a correct judgment from actual observation
having been furnished; and it must be confessed that the general
appearance of the breed would amply justify the hasty conclusion.
The bulls are usually very different in character and disposition from
the cows, and are much inclined to become restive and cross at the age
of two or three years, unless their treatment is uniformly gentle and
firm.
The Jersey is to be regarded as a dairy breed, and that almost
exclusively. It would not be sought for large dairies kept for the
supply of milk to cities; for, though the quality would gratify the
customer, the quantity would not satisfy the owner. The place of the
Jersey cow is rather in private establishments, where the supply of
cream and butter is a sufficient object; or,
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