Ki5il#w?ni'- >^^ BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF 1S91 A-izfXi/. jy/.y/s^^.. Cornell University Library SF 199.G8G93 Proceedings.Contalning, in a somewhat ab 3 1924 003 684 432 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003684432 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Guernsey Breeders' Association. CONTAINING, IN A SOMEWHAT ABRIDGED FORM, THE WORKINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION IN 1884. Published by authority of the Association. WEST GROVE, PA. 1899. INTRODUCTION. For a period of fifteen years, the Guernsey Breeders' Associa- tion has been exerting an influence for the improvement of the dairy types of cattle by the Guernsey breed ; feeling that they embrace the greatest number of points which count towards making a special purpose dairy breed, used either as thoroughbreds or in grading up working herds. In economy of production for feed consumed, richness and superiority of product, and persistency of milk flow, the Guernsey stands in the very fore front in the dairy world. This Association has acted as a live ally to, and in harmony with, the American Guernsey Cattle Club, which, under the pres- ent able management, is doing much in different ways towards the advancement of the cattle. Our breeders have been slow in forcing upon the public mind the many good qualities of their herds. In very few, if any instances, have they resorted to heavy and impractical rations in order to advertise great records. The steady growth in the demand for Guernseys has a solid foundation, based on practical results at the pail and churn, also in the show ring. The membership of the Guernsey Breeders' Association has embraced many of the prominent breeders of dairy stock in the Eastern States, who have given us the results of their valuable experience. Quite a number of our standard bearers have been taken from us by death ; we have keenly felt our loss ; our mem- bership, however, is decidedly on the increase, and timely topics are discussed in an intelligent manner. The meetings of the Association have been held at the farms of members during the summer season, and in Philadelphia in win- ter ; the sessions have not been held at regular intervals, and the subjects for discussion have embraced breeding and feeding prob- lems, disorders of live stock, also the broad field of agriculture, and to some extent horticultural matters. Our committees have taken a prominent part in promoting leg- islation favorable to agriculture, stock breeding, and kindred in- terests, and in opposing unjust bills. It has been felt that much valuable information has been, and is, derived by attending the meetings of the Association, and that the proceeding as shown by the minutes, should have a wider field of publicity than the comparatively small, circle embraced in our membership ; it is with a view of letting our light shine that this book has been published. LIST OF MEMBERS. -1899- ABBOTT, GEORGE, 1823 Filbert Street, Philadelphia. ABBOTT, GEORGE, Jr., 1823 Filbert Street, Philadelphia. ALBERTSON, CHARLES S., . Magnolia, N. J. BAILEY, WILLIAM E., Thomdale, Pa. BALDERSTON, ELWOOD, Colora, Md. BALDERSTON, JOHN L., Kenuett Square, Pa. BALDERSTON, WILLIAM, Morrisville, Pa. BELL, HOWARD H., Mt. Ephraim, N. J. BRANSON, J. L., 506 St. John Street Philadelphia. BROSIUS, A. C, Cochran ville. Pa. BRIGGS, THOMAS, . Newtown, Pa. BURGESS, WILLIAM, Trenton, N. J. CARSLAKE, CHARLES L., Columbus, N. J. CARTER, JOHN I. Chatham, Pa. CASE, CHARLES B., Trenton, N. J. CASSATT, A. J., . .26 South Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia. CLYMER, LEE S., Riegelsville, Pa. COCHLIN, WILLIAM P., Leonard, Pa. CONARD, V M. D., M. E.^ . West Grove, Pa. COMPORT, H. W., Fallsington, Pa. COOK, CHARLES HOWELL, Trenton, N. J. COOPER, DAVID E., Marlton, N. J. COOPER, RICHARD M., Ashland, N. J. COOPER, SAMUEL, . Marlton, N. J. COOPER, WILLIAM B., . Marlton, N. J. DeCOU, THOMAS B., . Trenton, N. J. DUDLEY, OWEN L., • Moorestown, N. J. DYE, FRANKTJN, . Trenton, N. J. EARL, HARRY, 13. 5 Ocean Avenue, Atlantic City, N. J. EVANS, ELWOOD, Haddonfield, N. J. EVANS, EZRA, . . Marlton, N. J. EVANS, JOSEPH, . Marlton, N. J. EVANS, ROBERT T., . Masonville, N. J. EVANS, WILLIAM J., . Marlton, N. J. EVENS, HOWARD, . Marlton, N. J. FISHER, J. LOGAN, Crescentville, Philadelphia. FORNEY. D. P., . Hanover, Pa. FOULKE, G. R., West Chester, Pa. GARDINER, S. H., . Ashland, N. J. GILL, E. T., Haddonfield, N.J. GILLINGHAM, GEORGE L., . Moorestown," N. J. HAINES, ALBERT, Masonville. N. J. HAINES, CHARLES, . Maple Shade, N. J. HAINES, EDGAR T., HAINES, JOSEPH H., . HARMER, EDWARD S., HARVEY, ROLPH M., HARVEY, WILLIAM B., HEISEY, S. C, HIGGINS, ANTHONY, HIGGINS, HENRY R., HIGGINS, JOHN C, HOLLINGSWORTH, E. J., HOLLINGSWORTH, M. M., HOPE, J. L., HOUSTON. S. P HUGHES, MARK, HUNT. E. W., HUNT, WALTER E., HUTCHINSON, J., IVINS, M. HARVEY. JACKSON, J P. JONES, MARSHALL, L., JONES. S. MORRIS, JONES, WILLIAM H., . KEELER, E. WESLEY, KIRKBRIDE, EDWARD S., LIPPINCOTT, BENJAMIN A., LIPPINCOTT, CHARLES A., LIPPINCOTT, FREDERIC, LIPPINCOTT, ISAAC, LIPPINCOTT, JACOB C, LIPPINCOTT, JOHN M., LIPPINCOTT, WILLIAM B., MAGILL, V. M. D , C. E., MARSHALL, HENRY, MATLACK, JOSEPH H., MATLACK, WILLIAM, . MECRAY, V. M. D., JAMES, MICHENER, EZRA, MILLER, WILLIAM H., MITCHELL, B. C, MITCHELL, D THOMPSON, MURPHY. EUGENE W., NEALE, Dr. A. T., NEWBOLD, JAMES S., PALMER, EVERETT, PALMER, HENRY, PAUL, WILLIAM M., PEARSON, Dr. LEONARD, PENNY, Prof. C. L., RAMSEY, JAMES, RICHARDS, M. D., J. N., West Grove, Pa. Medford, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Ward, Pa. West Grove, Pa. Rheems, Pa. Wilmington, DeL Delaware City, Del. Dundee, Scotland. Landenberg, Pa. Landenberg, Pa. Madison, N. J. 305 Walnut Street, Philadelphia West Grove, Pa. Kirkwood, N. J. Haddonfield, N. J. Haddonfield. N. J. Penn Valley, Pa. New London, Pa. Upper Darby, Pa. West Grove, Pa. Upper Darby, Pa. Doylestown, Pa. Morrisville, Pa. Haddon Heights, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Kirkwood, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Hartford, N J. Haddonfield, N J. Norway, Pa. Moorestown, N. J. Moorestown, N, J. Maple Shade, N. J. Carversville, Pa. Media, Pa. Brandamore, Pa. Union, Del. Mendenhall, Pa. Newark, Del. Morrisville, Pa. Avondale, Pa. Avondale, Pa. Moorestown, N. J. 3608 Pine Street, Philadelphia. Newark, Del. Londonderry, Pa. Fallsington, Pa. RIDGW Y, R. T., RISDEN, LEVI B., ROBERTS, ALLEN H., ROBERTS, DAVID, ROBERTS, ISAAC L., ROBERTS, JOSEPH H., SATTERTHWAITE, H. W., SCOTT, ISRAEL, SHARPLESS, BENJAMIN, SHARPLESS EDWARD, SHARPLESS, EVAN, SHARPLESS, JOHN P., SHARPLESS, JOSEPH C, SHARPLESS, P. E., SHARPLESS, THOMAS, SHIVERS, R. LEVIS, SMITH, R. PENN, SNYDER, A. J, . STAGGERS, Jr., E. B., STOKES, WALTER P., STRAWBRIDGE, EDWARD R. SUTPHIN. JOHN W., TAYLOR. H. G., THOMPSON, SAMUEL S., TRIMBLE, JOSEPH, TOMLINSON, B. A., TOMLINSON, EPHRAIM, TOMLINSON, LEMUEL, TOMLINSON, WILLIAM I., TWOMBLY. H. McK., TYLER, JOHN, VOORHEES, E. B.. WALTON, Dr. JOSEPH S., WELSH, J. P., WILLIAMSON, EDWARD C, WILLS, JOSHUA S., WILSON, C. G., WOOD, SAMUEL, WRIGHT, CHARLES, N . Cream Ridge, N. J. Trenton, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Moorestown, N. J. Fallsington, Pa. Ward, Pa. West Chester, Pa. Landenberg. Pa. . London Grove, Pa. . London Grove, Pa. . London Grove, Pa Ward. Pa. West Chester, Pa. Camden, N. J. , Berwyn, Pa. . Plumsteadville, Pa. Newark, Del. 219 Market Street, Philadelphia. . Moorestown. N. J. Trenton, N. J. Riverton, N.J. E. comer 12th and Chestnut Sts., Phila. . Chester, Pa. Laurel Springs, N.J. Kirkwood, N. J. Marlton, N. J. Kirkwood. N. J. Madison, N. J. Salem, N. J. New Brunswick, N. J. Ercildoun, Pa. Bloomsburg, Pa. Morris ville. Pa. Medford, N. J. Greenville, Del. . Haddonfield, N. J. Columbus, N. T. ORGANIZATION. Philadelphia, January 2s, 1884. Dear Sir : It is intended to organize a Chapter of the GUERNSEY CLUB, to be formed of the breeders and admirers of that strain of cattle. The meetings will be held, during the winter, monthly at the rooms of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, No. 244 South Third Street, and subsequently at the neighboring farms of the members. You are urgently requested to be present at said rooms on February 5th next, at 11 o'clock a. m. Yours, truly, THOMAS M. HARVEY, FRANK M. ETTING, HENRY PALMER, GEORGE BLIGHT. Pursuant to the foregoing notice, the following gentlemen met : Henry Palmer, Avondale, Pa.; George Blight, Philadelphia ; F. A. Comly, Fort Washington, Pa.; Silas Betts, Camden, N. J.; Ezra Michener, Carversville, Pa.; R. H. Hodgson, New London, Pa.; John C. Higgins, Delaware City, Del.; Benjamin Sharpless, West Chester Pa.; William B. Harvey, West Grove, Pa.; W. P. Hazard, Westchester, Pa.; Charles S. Carter, West Chester, Pa.; Sam- uel C. Kent, West Grove, Pa,; Thomas F. Seal, Unionville, Pa.; J. William Cox, Norway, Pa.; Mark Hughes, West Grove, Pa.; Frank M. Etting, Markham, Pa. Upon motion of Col. Etting, Mr. Blight was called to the chair, who then stated that it had been determined to organize a Guern- sey Club to encourage the proper breeding and improvement of that breed of milch cows ; and he called upon Col. Etting to read (after designating him as Secretary) the draft of the constitution of the organization. On motion of Mr. Betts, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Kent, and the Secre- tary were appointed a Committee to draft by-laws. Next meeting was fixed for Monday, February 25th, at eleven o'clock. The subject fixed for discussion at next meeting shall be " Treatment of Breeding Cows at and about calving." 10 CONSTITUTION. PREAMBLE. The undersigned breeders and admirers of Guernsey cattle as a favorite dairy breed, unite as an association, tlie object of which shall be the promotion and encouragement of breeding Guernsey cattle, their advancement, and the discussion of such topics as may be of general merit. Article i. We organize under the name of "Guernsey Breeders' Association," with headquarters in Philadelphia. Art. 2. Membership shall comprise any members of the American Guernsey Cattle Club, and such breeders or advocates of this breed of cattle as may be elected by the club, pursuant to the by-laws. Art. 3. Officers shall consist of a President, two vice-Presi- dents, Secretary and Treasurer, who, with three others, to be elected at each annual meeting of the club, shall constitute the Executive Committee. Art. 4. The annual meetings shall be held upon the last Second-day (Monday) of First Month (January) at Philadelphia, and monthly meetings may be fixed by the by-laws. ART. 5. Special meetings may be called by the President at the request of ten members ; twenty days' notice being required for the transaction of any business. The object of such meetings shall be announced in the call, and no other business shall be transacted. Art. 6. Any member may be expelled by a majority vote of all members of the club. Art. 7. Alterations or amendments to this constitution may be made by a two-thirds vote at an annual meeting of the club ; thirty days' notice being given of the proposed change. BY-LAWS. ARTICLE I. Order of Business. Roll Call. Reading of minutes of previous meeting. Nominations and elections. Reports of committees. Deferred business. Communications. II 7. New business. 8. Discussion of questions. Art. 2. Outside of members of tlae American Guernsey Cat- tle Club, applicants for membership shall be voted for by ballot, and shall have been nominated at the preceeding meeting ; two negative votes shall exclude the applicant, who must either be a Guernsey breeder or an advocate of the Guernsey as the favorite dairy breed. Those voting negatively must give satisfactory rea- sons to the executive committee before such votes become valid. Art. 3. Five members shall constitute a quorum. Art. 4. The executive committee shall transact the prelimi- nary business of the association. They shall elect their own chairman and secretary. They shall provide essayists and other business for the meetings. Four members shall constitute a quorum. Art. 5. The day of the meetings at the farms of members shall be arranged between the breeder and the executive commit- tee, and notification given two weeks in advance, where the second Sixth-day (Friday) of each month is not acceptable. The secretary shall send notices to all members of all meetings. Art. 6. The entrance fee shall be three dollars. Art. 7. All members shall notify the host within ten days of time of meeting whether he will be present. Art. 8. An annual fee of one dollar \yill be imposed upon all members, payable at or before the annual meeting each year ; any one failing to pay said fee within a year to be stricken from the list. Art. 9. Alterations or amendments to these by-laws may be made by a majority vote of those present at a regular meeting of the association. MINUTES OF MEETINGS. Minutes of Meeting hcid Second Month 25th, 1884. Pursuant to previous arrangement, the Guernsey Breeders' Association convened at the room .of tlie Philadelphia Agricultural Society with a good attendance of members and some others inter- ested in breeding. After the meeting was called to order by chairman George Blight, the minutes of our previous meeting were read and adopted, after which was held the election of officers. Henry Palmer was elected President, Ezra Michener and George Blight vice-Presidents, William B. Harvey Secretary, and Samuel C. Kent Treasurer. Edward Walter, Alexander Scott, Thomas M. Harvey, Joseph Pyle, Benjamin J. Hoopes, Israel R. Scott were elected members by acclamation, the last named gen- tleman not being present. The new President and Secretary took their respective seats, when the President appointed F. M. Etting, John C. Higgins, and Silas Betts as an Executive Committee. F. M. Etting read an interesting article on the Management of Cows six weeks before, at, and six weeks after calving, which opened the way for considerable discussion. Samuel C. Kent thought the cow should be blanketed and a bran mash given at once to remove the placenta, it making the necessary heat. W. P. Hazard thought four to six weeks sufficient time to allow a cow for rest previous to calving, and not only for the dam's sake was rest needful, but that it was necessary to stop the milk that the foetus might more fully develop. Thomas Sharpless was satisfied that cotton seed meal fed to cows while suckling calves was a very fruitful source of diarrhoea. R. H. Hodgson valued oats highly as food for breeding stock. Ezra Michener allowed his cows to eat their placenta. Thomas M. Harvey wished to know whether the after-birth was digestible. As the subject was not well understood, the meeting agreed that the following question be referred to Ezra Michener, viz.; " Is the stomach of a cow capable of digesting the placenta, and should cows be allowed to eat them ; and are drainings from the barnyard injurious to them for drinking ?" 13 Benjamin Hoopes thought warm water was objectionable for cows at calving, acting as nausea, and not likely to be drank ; he preferred having cold water in the stable all the time. The subject of milk fever was discussed somewhat. T. M. Harvey had experienced much benefit from Arsenicum ; he said liquid and solid medicines went different channels and require judg- ment in administering ; cows are not capable of swallowing when affected with milk fever. E. Michener gave salts and ginger and two drops of aconite every two hours for a day, together with al- most continued rubbing of the back and legs. The bill lately introduced in the National House of Represen-. tatives was read by the Secretary. This bill, which calls for the establishment of a Bureau of Animal Industry under the Depart- ment of Agriculture for the eradication of contagious Pleura-Pneu- monia, etc., was ifully approved of by the Association. The follow- ing resolution was agreed upon, viz : "Resolved, That this Association fully approves and seconds the bill before Congress relative to the establishment of a Commis- sion under the Department of Agriculture, for the eradication of Pleuro-Pneumonia and other contagious diseases ; that W. P. Haz= ard of Pennsylvania, John C. Biggins of Delaware, and Silas Betts of New Jersey are appointed to communicate with the members of Congress in their respective States, urging them to use their influ- ence for its passage." Thomas M. Harvey was appointed to produce an essay at our next meeting on the value of thoroughbred bulls to farmers for raising grades ; after which the subject is to be discussed. Then adjourned to meet Third Month 14th, at same place. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Third Month 14th, 1884- The Guernsey Breeders' Association met Third Month 14th in Philadelphia, with a good attendance. The following persons were nominated to be voted on at next meeting : A. J. Cassatt, J. W. Fuller, H. W. Livingstone, Johnston Liv- ingstone, S. S. Spencer, R. Stuyvestant, G. S. Watts, E. R. Wilson, Langhorne Wistar, Ephraim T. Gill, and Elwood Balderston. Twenty dollars (^20) was agreed upon as an anuual rent for the room of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. 14 Ezra Michener was not prepared to answer his question rela- tive to cows eating their placenta. Thomas M. Harvey, according to appointment, took the floor to open the subject of the value of thoroughbred bulls to farmers for raising grades. He said all cattle came from two breeds — Hump-backed and European, and from these two kinds the many breeds now extant originated ; some for the production of milk, others butter, and still others for beef. He advised that fixed breeds should not be crossed, as neither would yield points to the other ; consequently but little advantage would be gained. It is better to breed in line. Take common cows not having fixed points, thoroughbred bulls will stamp their qualities upon them. Farmers and butchers prefer Guernsey to Jersey veals. Ezra Michener had a Guernsey veal to weigh 195 pounds at five weeks. It was thought that thoroughbreds were those entitled to be registered, and those which cannot be registered cannot be proven to be thoroughbred. R. H. Hodgson thought there was not sufficient recognition at the Fairs of good dairy cows. It was advised that farmers should raise their own cows, thereby shielding themselves from pleura- pneumonia, etc., and being more certain to have profitable animals. Elwood Balderston said that his father some years ago changed common cows to grades ; that previous to the change they averaged three and one-half pounds butter per week per cow, but that the average of their dairy of grades now is about five pounds per week for the year. Silas Betts thought we should not move too fast, that we were learners, that the number of practical breeders was very small. He thought the Guernseys were admitted to be as a whole the richest class of cattle in the world ; that being secured, we should keep the ball rolling, and improvement would follow. He admitted that the Jerseys had gone a little further than the Guern- seys, having had more time, but we' have uniform richness, and he thought we could arrive at results equal to theirs in less time. He thought we should have to inbreed to a certain extent, that there might be more prepotency ; that we should be willing to sell bulls to farmers at prices within their reach. Ezra Michener found that when his neighbors purchased a Guernsey bull, they would come back again for more, and that the gain from a Guernsey over a common cow was fully a pound per week, and the butter worth five cents a pound more. F. M. Etting had recently taken some of the milk from his Guernsey cows to a creamery, and the result was that five and one-third quarts of milk made one pound of butter. 15 The subject for discussion at our next meeting has been changed to the following : " The value in shape, size, and general characteristics, of the so-called milk vein in cows and bulls. Adjourned to meet next at the home of Samuel C. Kent Fourth. Month 30th, 1884. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Fourth Month 30th, I884. The Guernsey Club met at West Grove in the Good Templars room of the new Bank Building. There was a good attendance of members and others. After reading and adopting the minutes of the last meeting, Ephraim T. Gill and Elwood Balderston were elected members and S. Morris Jones and Marcellus Cook nominated for member- ship. A number of others, members of the American Guernsey Cattle Club, were elected by acclamation, who are entitled to an active membership upon payment of the initiation fee. " The most effective method for the improvement of native cows for the dairy," was the subject agreed upon for discussion at our next meeting. In deferred business, Ezra Michener replied to the question re- ferred to him at a previous meeting, relative to the digestible prop- erties of the placenta, etc. He read an interesting paper from Dr. Charles Michener, who gave his opinion that the placenta was digestible and that it did not injure the cow if eaten. Col. Etting thought a cow should be tied up until it was discharged. T. M. Harvey related that he once had a cow to hold her cleaning for a week and when cast excited a Jersey cow near by, which at once dropped her premature calf. It was voted that each member should be requested to write an essay upon the Guernsey, giving their reasons for keeping them, etc., the idea being to gain all the useful points attainable, prepar- atory to preparing a full essay on Guernseys, which would include the substance of these papers. It was decided that the host should introduce the subject for discussion, which subject should be an- nounced at the foregoing meeting ; it is to be such a topic as the host suggests, providing it be approved of by the executive com- mittee and the meeting. i6 The subject for discussion was tlien entered upon, viz : " The value in shape, size, and general characteristics of the so-called milk veins in cows and bulls." Samuel C. Kent opened the dis- cussion. He thought very good cows did not always have specially good milk veins ; he preferred a vein of tortuous course, and that the veins of inbred animals appeared to be rather more prominent than others, perhaps owing to their having thinner skins. The question arose where the change from blood to milk took place, which could not be answered. W. P. Hazard thought as the milk came nearer the outlet, the blood was more fully com- bined with fatty matter, which gave it a lighter appearance. The same person read a very interesting article in relation to the milk vein. He said the milk veins were erroneously called, that they should be termed Mammary veins, as they convey blood to and from the heart, and the more prominent the more vigorously the change of blood wascarried on. In some cases, cows which had well- developed veins were poor milkers, though had good calves. Un- der these circumstances the calves were generally fully and very well developed, and often were superior to their dams. ■ A vote of thanks was extended to W. P. Hazard, which prac- tice was considered out of place for members, and agreed not to be followed except to non-members. It was decided to hold the next meeting at the home of Col. Etting Fifth Month i6th. After adjournment the company- was conveyed to the residence of S. C. Kent, where was prepared an excellent meal, after which a large herd of imported heifers in a lot near by were inspected. Two large herds of imported Guernseys at the farm of Mark Hughes were also visited, one of which in addition to the heifers be- fore mentioned, comprise the Philadelphia sale the last of next month. An informal meeting was held at Hughes's, where food for dairy stock. Centrifugal Machines, etc., were discussed. By this time the afternoon was far spent, and the guests parted after spend- ing a pleasant and profitable day. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. 17 Minutes of Meeting held Fifth Month 16th, 1884- The Guernsey Breeders' Asi^ociation met Fifth Month i6th at the home of F. M. Etting, Markham Station, with a fair attend- ance of members and a number of invited guests. The Colonel's fine heard of Guernseys was examined before the meeting of the Association. They were in fine order and showed well in his new barn built for the special purpose of breeding stock. The meeting was called to order about 10.30 o'clock by the President. After adopting the minutes of the previous meeting, and reading some communications from persons unable to attend, the subject for discussion was entered upon, viz : "The most effect- ive method for the improvement of native cows for the dairy " F. M. Etting read an interesting article on raising grades, giving their actual cost to farmers at various ages, and showing the benefits of such a course. Judge Biddle, of Philadelphia, gave us some valu- able information relative to the first Guernseys imported, which were owned by his father, Nicholas Biddle. Three animals were brought to New York and from thence were bought by him at a cost of ^500 for the three. People from far and near brought their cows to the bull, because they noticed a great improvement in the quantity of the cross on their common cows, and no depreciation in quality. Silas Betts thought the people were being more and more edu- cated to have a preference for Guernseys ; that they were educa- tors. He compared them with the many improved appliances exhi- bited at the Centennial Exhibition, that as these had produced a great improvement among the people in their demanding better machinery, etc., so will people in seeing improved stock demand a better quality. He said the animals of America were of no fixed type as in Continental countries, and consequently were more easily worked upon by thoroughbred animals of standard charac- teristics. Alexander Scott produced an article in which he stated his reasons for changing from common to Guernsey stock ; previous to the change, twenty-eight common cows made 5,209 pounds of but- ter in one year ; afterwards twenty-eight Guernsey cows made 7,280 pounds in the same time, and that of a firmer and better grade, from which he realized an advanced price. George Blight gave a brief review of several breeds of cattle, but to the Guernsey he gave the preference, especially for those living near the cities, where large quantities of rich milk and butter i8 are required. He sciid they are of good constitution, better able to withstand the changes of our climate, and can take care of them- selves. As a dairy cow she is equal to any, the quality of her milk and butter being unexcelled. They are particularly adapted to cross on our common cow, their size and shape t/eing more in unison with that class of animals. Jersey grades are apt to be too weak and unable when matured to bear their bodies without fatigue, or break- ing down altogether. He thought Guernsey bulls should not be held too high, as a cross on them with the common cows made a dairy cow of great value, and in a few years the Guernsey will be the greatest dairy cow m our country. Isaac Evans spoke of the necessity of giving good feed to all dairy animals. George Abbot, Jr., the Alderney milk dealer in Philadelphia, said the demand was growing greater for good milk and in his cal- culations, he rated grade milk twelve and one-half per cent., and common milk twenty-five per cent, below the milk from thorough- bred cows, thus showing clearly to the farmer the advantage to im- prove the tone of his herd. After quite a lengthy and instructive session, the meeting adjourned to meet Sixth Month 13th at the residence of Silas Betts, where the following subject is to be discussed : " What are the qualities and characteristics of the best Guernsey cow, and what are the most serious defects of the average Guernsey, and how shall we breed in order to perpetuate the good qualities and eliminate the defects .'"' We were escorted to the dining-room to our " standing lunch," though do not think that term fairly conveys an idea of the sumptu- ous repast spread before us. After spending at] hour or more among the stock, the guests again sought their respective homes. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Sixth Month 15th, 1884. The Guernsey Breeders' Association met Sixth Month 15th, 1884, at the home of Silas Betts, near Camden, N. J. After the meeting was called to order by the President, and adoption of the minutes of last meeting, Judge Biddle, of Philadel- phia, took the floor and read numerous valuable and very interest- 19 ing letters and newspaper articles, giving the early history of Guernsey cattle, telling of their first introduction into America, etc. From good- authority we were informed that Guernseys were admitted into Jersey to help the quality of the animals on that island, though no Jerseys were admitted to Guernsey. It is more than likely that a number of the famous Jersey families trace back to these Guernsey crosses. Guernseys long ago were popular in Normandy, then in Guernsey and east of Jersey. One article told of a Guernsey ox five years old, which dressed, made 1218 pounds of meat, Guernsey weight ; this was on grass, no oil cake, etc. The cattle on the island of Sark are a mixture of vari- ous breeds. Instances were cited of yields of thirty-six quarts of milk per day and eighteen pounds of butter, which in American weight would be more. Three years was considered too long to allow a heifer to run before calving, as the milk qualities were likely to give way to fat ; two years was considered better. It was decided that Judge Biddle and Willis P. Hazard be ap- pointed to select such parts of the papers as they deemed proper and have them published ; the Association to bear the expense. Silas Betts read a well-written article on the subject chosen for discussion at the meeting : " What are the qualities or charac- teristics of the best Guernsey cow, and what are the most serious defects of the average Guernsey ; and how should we breed so as to perpetuate the good qualities and eliminate the defects?" He said it was a common practice among, the breeders of Short Horns, Devons, etc., to breed to bulls of no particular type or record ; while among Jersey breeders the prevailing system is to breed to bulls of the best strains, or such in fancy points ; that the Guernsey cow possesses as many points as the Jersey cow ever had; there were fewer instances of phenomenal records, as there was so little effort made to bring about such results ; it was a point to de- cide, how to breed that such might be accomplished. Guernseys have traveled thus far without pufFmg, in other words on their own merits. There was very little time to discuss the subject further, as the session had been long already. After dinner the herd of Guernseys was examined, first the heifers and calves, and in the stable was a long row of well-devel- oped cows, many of them imported. These are the cows whose milk causes the city milk-men to talk so much about being "doc- tored up." , 20 Shortly before leaving, an informal meeting was held, and William M. Paul, of Moorestovvn, N. J., and Isaac W. Nicholson, of Camden, N. J., were elected members of the Association ; the next meeting to be held at the home of Thomas M. Harvey & Son, West Grove, Seventh Month 25th. Subject for discussion : " Pre- vious impregnation and the effect of crossing." WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Seventh Month 25th, 1884- The Guernsey Breeders' Association met Seventh Month 25th, 1884, at invitation of Thomas M. Harvey & Son, in West Grove Hall. The meeting was called to order by the President ; after reading and adopting the minutes of last meeting, the following were nominated for membership, viz : Joseph G. Williams, Henry Marshall, Isaac C. Evans, R. J. C. Walker, Joseph Evans, and An- thony Higgins. An article in the By-Laws was suspended, and they were unanimously elected members. The Constitution and By-Laws were brought up by the Execu- tive Committee for revision preparatory to printing. After consid- erable discussion a satisfactory form of each was framed, and the Secretary authorized to have one thousand copies printed for distri- bution. A letter was read from John S. Perry of Albany, N. Y., who had lost a riumber of valuable Guernseys from an unexplained cause. The symptoms were stated as plainly as possible, but as no gentle- man present was able to attribute a satisfactory cause, S. C. Kent was appointed to forward the letter to Dr. F. S. Bridge for his judgment. R. H. Hodgson then read an excellent article, setting forth his reasons for keeping Guernseys. His convictions were to the point ; he had tried the Durham, and they were too beefy, and the Jersey and they were too delicate, then seeing a Guernsey, he changed again, and is satisfied to keep them. Thomas M. Harvey then read an exhaustive essay on the sub- ject for discussion, relative to previous impregnation and the effect of crossing. He commenced in plant life, coming gradually up, giving numerous instances of interest of previous contact and their effect afterwards on subsequent life. After citing cases of similar 21 character in the brute creation, the human family was treated, showing numerous cases of interest. This article was followed by one written by E. Michener, of New Garden, Pa., very much the same in point of argument, which served but to confirm the other. THE EFFECT OF PREVIOUS IMPREGNATION ON FUTURE .PROGENY. " This seems to be an unsettled question among the doctors, and sometimes stockmen ; but enough is icnown to enable me to advise breeders who desire fine stock to be very careful about the quality and characteristics of the males they use. In the works of creation there is a wise provision to perpetuate the species, and this generally by male and female. The combination is generally ex- pected to produce about an average of the make-up and qualities of the two parents ; but there are many curious exceptions, show- ing that the male is not only the sire of the present foetus, but in some mysterious way effects the mother, so that the next and fu- ture progeny may have considerable resemblance to the former sire, even when begotten by another parent. I might quote many au- thors, but will be economical of your time. Manly Miles, M. D., in his valuable work on stock breeding says : ' The influence of the male in the process of procreation is not limited to his immediate offspring, but extends also through the female that he has impreg- nated to her offspring by another male. Paradoxical as this state- ment may appear, there are many well-authenticated cases on re- cord that cannot be satisfactorily explained on any other hypothe- sis.' The close observing and talented Darwin remarks on this subject : ' Many well-authenticated facts have been published, and others have been communicated to tne, plainly showing the influ- ence of the first male on the progeny subsequently born by the mother to other males.' "In order to prepare the mind for this subject, I propose taking you a little round in the vegetable world, and show some effect of mixing not so easily explained. In our nursery experience we take a lot of apple stocks all as nearly alike as possible, graft some of them with Caleb apples, and the trees when grown will generally have one main large tap root, and very small side roots. Graft another lot of them with Smoke House, and the roots start near the surface strong and spreading, and no particular tap root. Each variety seems to have some power to shape its own roots, as well as to have its peculiar form of growth. "Another: We take a common Ash tree, with green entire foliage, and put a graft in the top of it, of a variegated Ash, when 22 the graft grows the stock or body will put out shoots of variegated foliage, where before grafting, they were green. "With Potatoes: Take a pure white potato, cut out a conical piece at an eye and then destroy all the other eyes, then from a pure red potato cut out a neat cone, with an eye in it, and fit it neatly into the conical cavity in the white one, tie it or pin it in place and plant; the progeny will be a calicoed, splotched, red and white potato. I have done this and planted the progeny for several years, and they continue to retain the variegated appear- ance. "A gardener in Florence had in 1644, a grafted tree of the orange family, the graft was destroyed, and a shoot sprang up from the stock. This new shoot produced at the same time leaves, flow- ers and fruit identical with the bitter orange, and with the citron of Florence, and likewise compound fruit, with the two kinds blended together both externally and internally. This tree is propagated by cuttings and retains its diversified character. "The foregoing are instances of mixture without the immedi- ate influence of parents. Nearly all plants have stamens and pistils, male and female organs whose offices are to perfect the seed for the perpetuation of their kind. When a tree or plant is entire- ly by itself, we may reasonably expect a uniformity of product ; but the pollen, the male element, is light and is wafted on the winds, and may be carried by the bee seeking honey to the other plants of the same natural family, and not only change the charac- ter of the seed for the propagation of the next crop, but also often changes the character of the present product, and sometimes we see the character of the mother plant modified by it, which s.ome- what illustrates the subject of my discourse. "In the proceedings of the American Pomological Society, held at Philadelphia last autumn, was brought out the information that it made a great difference in the size, appearance and quality of certain strawberries, according to what they were fertilized by. To illustrate : Manchester, when fertilized by Sharpless or Charles Downing, was much finer than when by Wilson. We well know that the seed of such crossed plants will produce a great variety of plants when grown, but how or why carrying these hybrid seeds should affect the edible part is not so easily explained. It is some- what of the character of the mother, being affected by carrying the foetus. The edible part of the strawberry is not a true fruit, in the botanical sense. The pericarp of the apple, pear and other fruit may be affected in the same way. Two very different kinds of apple trees grown close together, have been known to bear fruit resembling each other on the limbs adjoining. Any farmer knows that if he plants his squashes, pumpkins, and melons near together, that it not only affects the seed for the future, but the direct fruit is spoiled for use. With the corn family the mixture of pollen tells on the present crop. We can by management have various kinds of corn all grown on one cob. "We will not detain you longer in examining the vegetable pro- 23 duction, only for the case of potatoes mixing in the hill. This question is only discussed in the agricultural papers, never satisfac- torily explained, is disbelieved, repudiated and dismissed. We think there is a rational explanation, and it bears closely on our subject — the influence of the foetus on the mother. First, is it so ? do they mix ? 1 say they do under certain circumstances, and I am glad to have the support of such able and talented men as the late William Jackson, the present Dr. Ezra Michener, and Dr. J. K. Eshleman, and others. The condition is that they, the two varieties, must bloom at the same time, and be placed in close proximity, and to make it more easily observable, a red and white variety should be used. The plants that become ferlilized by each other will produce red and white potatoes — mixed colors. " The potato is not a seed, and is not affected directly by the pollen. The potato plant does produce seed, and when we plant that seed a great variety is produced. I once raised some forty seedlings from the seed of Early Rose, and no two of them were alike. While the mother plant is carrying and maturing this em- bryo seed she is at the same time depositing in the ground a tuber, the edible potato. Growth is made and secretions formed by the blood and sap carrying and depositing the material. It is admitted by all that the seed in the potato apple can be hybrid, and in that condition can deposit mixed tubers in the ground. "From the few examples given, 1 hope you can see how this mixing can be acconiplished, and in it a striking example of how in the animal the mother carrying the foetus can herself become a hy- brid. Darwin, after citing numei^ous instances in the vegetable kingdom to show the direct action of the male element on the mother form, comes to the conclusion 'that the male element not only affects, in accordance with its proper function, the germ, but the surrounding tissues of the mother plant.' "As we now approach the animal kingdom, I quote from Prof. Agassiz ; after his numerous experiments he says : ' I have satisfied myself of it to be the truth, that the act of fecundation is not an act which is limited in its effects, but that it is an act which affects the whole system, the sexual system especially, the ovary to be impregnated hereafter is so modified by the first act that later im- pregnations do not efface the first impression.' "1 will quote a very few cases, apparently well authenticated, to illustrate our subject : G. A. Baxter, M. D., of Chattanooga, Georgia, gives an instance of a white English bull bitch, which by chance took a dog of different species, 'though he ever afterwards tried to preserve the white breed pure from her, she continued until her death, with every litter, to bear one or two yellow pups.' Prof. Agassiz states that he experimented with a Newfoundland bitch by coupling her with a water dog, and the progeny were partly water dog and partly Newfoundland, and the remainder a mixture of both. Future connections of the same bitch with a greyhound produced a similar litter, with hardly a trace of grey- hound. And the same author had bred rabbits with the-laws estab- 24 lished by this experiment, and had at last so impregnated a white rabbit, that connection of this white rabbit with a black male inva- riably produced gray. Dr. Shaw, of Leochel-Cushme, put six pure horned and black-faced ^heep to a white-faced hornless Leicester ram, and others of his flock to a dun-faced Down ram. The pro- duce were crosses between the two. In the following year they were put to a ram of their breed, also pure. All the lambs were hornless and had brown faces. Another year he again pui. them to a pure bred horned and black-faced ram. There was a smaller pro- portion this year impure ; but two of the produce were polled ; one dun-faced, with very small horns ; and three were white-faced, showing the partial influence of the cross even to the third year.' "Dr. Miles visited the farm of A. N. Gillette, in Delta, Michi- gan, where he saw a litter of pigs out of a pure Berkshire sow, and got by a pure Berkshire boar. More than one-half the pigs were apparently Poland China in the form of the head, and their bodies were spotted with sandy white. He was informed by the owner that the preceeding year the dam of these pigs had produced a lit- ter of pigs by a Poland China boar that were marked in the same manner, with sandy white spots. " Dr. H. B. Shank, of Lansing, Michigan, reports of a pure bred Aberdeenshire heifer that was served with a pure Teeswater bull, by which she had a first cross calf. The following season the same cow was served with a pure Aberdeenshire bull ; the produce was a cross calf, which, when two years old had very large horns, the parents being both polled, (muleys). "When 1 first visited Judge Biddle's herd, at Andalusia, some sixteen years ago, I saw there a fine Guernsey cow without horns, a muley. This excited my curiosity, as 1 had not heard of any muleys among Channel Island cattle before. Upon inquiry I learned the history of her, about thus : The Biddle (first) importation con- sisted of three cows only, no bull ; in this extremity they were compelled to let one of them (Jennie Dean, I think) be served by a neighbor's muley scrub bull, not anything strange that the calf came to be a muley. But to illustrate our subject, the same cow, in after years, when served by a thoroughbred Guernsey bull, hav- ing horns, produced some calves without horns, clearly showing how she had been affected by the muley scrub. [See our Guern- sey herd book No. 8. Muley was the dam of No. lo cow June, the muley I saw]. "In a letter from Judge Biddle, received last week, he says that my statements that I had referred to him were about correct, and they are as detailed above. He also informs us that Prof. Gibson on examining this case, said he saw no muleys on the Island of Guernsey, and our neighbor, S. C. Kent, reports the same. "Alexander Morrison, of Bognie, had a fine Clydesdale mare, which, in 1843, was served by a Spanish ass and produced a mule. She afterwards had a colt by a horse, which bore a very marked likeness to a mule, seen at a distance, every one set it down at once as a mule. The ears are nine and a half inches long, the girth 25 not quite six feet, and stands above sixteen hands high. The hoofs are so long and narrow that there is a difficulty in shoeing them, and the tail is thin and scanty. "A similar case is recorded by Dr. Burgess, of Dedham, Massa- chusetts, who says : ' From a mare which had once been served by a jack I have seen a colt so long eared, sharp backed, and rat-tailed, that I stopped a second time to see if it were not a mule.' "Dr. H. B. Shank, of Lansing, Michigan, informs that a mare belonging to himself, having produced a mule, was afterwards bred to a Morgan stallion with remarkably fine ears ; the ears of the colt were large and coarse, presenting a close resemblance to those of a mule. "In 1815, a chestnut mare, seven-eighths Arabian, belonging to the Earl of Morton, was covered by a Quagga (a species of striped zebra) ; the hybrid produce resembled the sire in color and in many peculiarities of form. In 1817, 1818, and 1821, the same mare was covered by a very fine black Arabian horse, and pro- duced successively three foals, and she had not seen the Quagga since 1816, they all bore his curious and unequivocal markings. " In the human family the same peculiarity has been observed. A woman may have by a second husband children who resemble her former husband, particularly by the color of their hair and eyes. A white woman who has had children by a colored man, may after- wards have children to a white man, and these latter children show some unmistakable peculiarity of the negro. Our local M. D. can bear evidence to this, and also that the mother shows signs of con- tamination. M. B. Hickman, of West Chester, told me of an Irish woman that had lived in his family, and who afterwards married a colored man and had by him some eight or nine children, and by that time had become quite a mulatto in color and appearance. "In addition to what has been related of color, form, etc., dis- eases may be communicated in this way. Tuberculosis exists some- what among cattle. A male affected that way not only transmits it to progeny but also to the mother, and she, by other sires and healthy ones, may transmit to other progeny. We have known instances of the man being affected with scrofula, married an ap- parently healthy woman, reared two or three children, they, of course, might inherit the disease, but there are instances of this kind where the mother became affected with the disease of the father and died, while the man still lived. "In his remarks upon this subject, Dr. Carpenter says : 'Some of these cases appear referable to the strong mental impression left by the first male parent on the female, but there are others which seem to render it more likely that the blood of the female has im- bibed from that of the foetus, through the placental circulation, some of the attributes the latter has derived from its male parent, and that the female may communicate these, with those proper to herself, to the subsequent offspring of a different male parentage.' " James McGillvray, a veterinary surgeon of Huntley, presents essentially the same theory, as he believes, that when a female of 26 any pure breed has been impregnated by a male of another breed, she becomes a cross, 'the purity of her blood being lost In conse- quence of her connection with the foreign animal.' "When we consider how the embryo is nourished and built up by the mother's blood, and that blood after depositing its building up element has to return from the hybrid foetus through the moth- er's circulation, to be purified and again stocked up, to return with more for the same purpose, it does not seem any more difficult to understand than many of the changes that I have related to you, and so readily observed in the plant world." After dinner, another short session was held. Willis P. Haz- ard read a preliminary article, prepared for publication in the "Country Gentleman," as an introduction for the papers to be prepared by himself together with Judge Biddle ; it embraced many points of Interest, giving some statistics. There was but little time for further discussion, as the Green Bank herd of Guernseys were yet to be seen, and the afternoon was already well spent. After viewing the animals, buildings, etc., the assemblage parted, to meet Eighth Month 15th at the home of Ezra Michener, Carversville, Pa. Subject for discussion : " What are the qualities or characteristics of the best Guernsey cow, etc., and what are the most serious defects of the average Guernsey, and how shall we breed to perpetuate the good qualities and eliminate the defects ?" WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Eighth Month 15th, 1884 The Guernsey Breeders' Association met Eighth Month 15th, 1884, at the home of Ezra Michener, Carversville, Pa., according to appointment. A number of calves from two valuable herds belonging to S. C. Kent and Henry Palmer had died after a short illness. The symp- toms were given and the subject discussed at some length. The calves were sick about four hours, frothed at the mouth, running around about a half hour before death, piteously bawling, evidently in great pain ; the bowels were not constipated. The head was turned to the right side, the pulse very high. Dr. Michener thought it was poison of the nervous system. John C. Higgins that it was inflammation of the stomach, a reflex action of the stomach on the 27 brain ; he made some comparisons in cases of dogs. Ezra Mich- ener read an essay on the merits and defects of Guernsey cows ; he also produced a well-written article on the subject, Why he bred Guernseys. R. H. Hodgson thought it very important to go and see a bull before buying, though it cost the price of the bull ; and that he should be made to work like a horse. W. P. Hazard said the ani- mals on the island of Guernsey had been very much inbred, and that cheapness of service was too often the case. He said that cows to procreate the race properly should be very well bred. In nature the mammary glands of a cow are insignificant ; by careful breeding and good feeding, we arrive at good if not remarkable re- sults. There have been too many cows brought over merely as a mercantile transaction, and which are in a great measure devoid of the qualities to be desired in a good Guernsey cow. Thomas M. Harvey thought the Guernseys such persistent milkers that in the long run they yielded as much as the other breeds. Isaac Evans, Charles S. Carter, and Isaac Nicholson were ap- pointed a committee to examine the Guernseys at the State Fair and report to this Association which animals they thought superior. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Tenth Month 17th. 1884. The Guernsey Breeders' Association met Tenth Month 17th, 1884, at the home of Henry Palmer, with George Blight in the chair. After reading and adopting the minutes of last meeting, held at E. Michener's, A. J. Cassat, Russel S. Cox, and Samuel D. Hughes were nominated for membership. It was decided to hold the next meeting at the home of Alexander Scott, Concord, Eleventh Month 14th. As new business, Thomas M. Harvey vished to know more about the properties of cotton seed meal ; whether it was safe to feed to high-bred breeding stock. Alexander Scott stated he bought, he thought, the first cotton-seed meal brought to Philadel- phia ; that it was before the war. It was not hulled, and had to be 28 sifted ; he was satisfied as to its value as a food, and bought after the war as soon as possible, and has used it ever since. He feeds one pint of it at a feed — being in proportion eight quarts of bran, two quarts of cornmeal, and one pint cotton-seed meal, mixed with cut hay and fodder ; he also feeds some long hay afterwards. J. William Cox uses one-eighth cotton-seed, using cob meal and bran as the main feed ; three parts cob, four bran, and one cot- ton-seed. Joseph Evans stated that he had been using cotton-seed meal for years, and was well satisfied ; he told of a person who abandoned it, whose milk- man noticed a deterioration in the quality of his milk ; upon resuming the feed, the trouble ceased. William Cox said that Edward Darlington (a neighbor of his) used two quarts of this rich meal per day, and had no abortions ; his cows averaged 250 pounds of butter apiece per year. William Paul did not feed it and feared abortion. Willis P. Hazard stated that the Georgia Experiment Station found that the meal was worth ;g26 per ton to Georgia farmers as food, though it was necessarv to have it thoroughly decorticated. The hull and more particularly the root of the cotton plant contains a substance, Gossipium, which causes the uterus to contract and evict the contents of the womb. It appeared to be the general decision of the club that were the hull properly removed, cotton-seed meal was not injurious to breed- ing stock if fed in moderate quantities. The subject proper for the discussion of the day was now en- tered upon, relative to the cause of mortality among our calves. Henry Palmer made some general remarks, giving symptoms. Dr. R. B. Ewing, who had been witness to one of Palmer's cases, thought at the time it was a case of metallic poisoning ; eggs and milk and hydrate sesque-oxide of iron were administered ; the calf died, and upon examination no signs of poisoning were found. In another fatal case, the brain and stomach were sent to Dr. Martin of West Chester. He pronounced it heat stroke, or Therm- ic Fever, caused by excessively hot weather then prevalent. The brain was affected in each case. The remedy recommended was a cold application to the head, and the following : Bromide of Potas- sium, Chalk Mixture to correct the acidity of the stomach, and aconite to sooth and quiet the nerves, and possibly bleeding. Henry Palmer said that the chalk reduced the temperature ; that in one case the pulse was 200 and the temperature 110°; the latter was reduced to 107° in a half hour by chalk. 29 S. C. Kent stated that the animals belonging to John S. Perry whose letter was read at a previous meeting, died in very cold weather ; and other cases were reported likewise. Dr. Ewing said that meningitis did not necessarily occur in hot weather. Ezra Michener lost a cow some time since apparently from partaking of salt in excessive quantities — over a quart, he thought, was taken ; she had not had access to salt previously. A motion for adjournment was now carried, and dinner was announced, after which the time was spent in viewing the fine herd of Guernseys and the superior buildings on the premises. The food subject being of such importance, it was decided to continue its discussion.at our next meeting. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Eleventh Month 14th, 1884- At a regular meeting of the Guernsey Breeders' Association held at Alexander Scott's home Eleventh Month 14th, 1884. After reading and adopting the minutes of last meeting, A. J. Cassat, Russel S. Cox, and Samuel D. Hughes were elected mem- bers of the Association. Thomas M. Harvey then read an instructive essay on the Guernsey cow, telling of the early importations, and how, after trying to produce a cross to make a general purpose, cow, he was taken to the Guernseys and there saw what he had been looking for. He then also brought up the subject of Herd Book registra- tion, complaining of the indifference of the American Guernsey Cattle Club to a matter of such importance. He thought we should uphold the Herd Book of the Royal Agricultural Society on the Island of Guernsey, which registers on individual merit ; holding local shows frequently, that all might have a chance to compete for its prizes. He exposed the loose system of the Island of Guernsey General Herd Book, which registers almost any kind of an animal that happens to be on the island. The subject opened some discussion. Willis P. Hazard con- firmed what had been said, and thought however that we were im- proving, and that within five years Guernseys would materially advance. 30 The Secretary read a report of P. E. Sharpless forty quarts of A. Scott's Guernsey milk skimmed with a separator ; it made eight pounds and one ounce of butter weighed out in pound pieces. The subject of analysis of Guernsey milk and butter was next opened. Prof. Cochran, chemist of West Chester Normal School, was present and offered his services. Thomas M. Harvey, Alex- ander Scott, and Henry Palmer were appointed to attend to the mat- ter. Prof. Cochran said that Friesian milk was poorer than that of native cattle. There is considerable difference in percentage's, de- pending on the condition of the cow, whether fresh or nearly dry. A case was cited of Jersey milk which yielded eleven quarts of milk per day, which made 19.49 per cent, solids. Silas Betts thought owners of Guernseys were too modest in making them known. He thought we should take a step in advance of the Herd Book, by analyzing milk, and that we should test the cow. R. H. Hodgson thought we had advanced. It was necessary to put the matter be- fore the public to get them to adopt Guernseys ; when they have the milk and butter, they will not give them up ; and it was neces- sary to put our proceedings before the public. Thomas M. Harvey read an article on Scours in calves, from the "American Farmer." It was decided to hold the next meeting at the Philadelphia room, 344 South Third Street, Twelfth Month 19th, to discuss "What constitutes a first-class Guernsey bull, and the proper management of bulls." Silas Betts was appointed to open the subject. The committee appointed some months ago to examine and re- port upon the State Fair Guernseys were not ready to report. Alexander Scott said that when a cow calves he gives a mash of bran with a tablespoonful of salt petre, some salt, and a handful of hickory ashes ; more salt petre if any symptoms of milk-fever occurred. He used a hot lye poultice back of horns, or soap and salt when a cow was dull. He did not think there should be milk- fever if proper care was used. Dr. Darlington thought milk-fever was a sort of double action — the head and womb ; the nutrition leaving the womb at the time of parturition is apt to go to the brain and occasion apoplexy. Silas Betts gave for milk-fever twenty drops of aconite and belladona alternately in one pint of water. He uses many of the Cashaw pumpkins for his cows and they are very fond of them. He also uses barley sprouts ; thought brewers' grains were hard on cattle. For calves, ground oats, flaxseed-meal, and wheat middlings were given as a gruel, by some members of the Club, with very good results. 31 Cornfodder and sorghum as food were discussed. The former, if grown thickly, is about as good as timothy hay — so says the New Jersey Experiment Station. It was thought of decided ad- vantage to feed bran with cornmeal , the results of the mixture were as good as though pure cornmeal was fed. The latter is solid and tends to pack on the stomach. Adjourned to meet in Philadelphia. WILLIAM B. HARVEY, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held First Month 20th. 1885. The annual meeting of the Guernsey Breeders' Association was held in the Philadelphia Agricultural Society room on Monday, January 20th, 1885, President Henry Palmer in the chair. The minutes were read and approved. The following were nominated for membership: S. P. Taber Willets, Roslyn, L. L, New York ; J. W. Fuller, Catasauqua, Pa.; Abbott Fuller, Philadelphia, Pa.; Spencer Borden, Fall River, Mass. The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : President, Henry Palmer ; vice-Presidents, George Blight and Ezra Michener ; Secretary, Willis P. Hazard ; Treasurer, Samuel C. Kent ; Executive Committee, Henry Palmer, George Blight, Ezra Michener, W. P. Hazard, S. C. Kent, F. M. Etting, Silas Betts, and John C. Higgins. Reports of committees being next in order, the Committee on Publication, through chairman Betts, reported that they had sev- eral meetings and considered the proposals .before them — one from Rev. Sleeper, and the other from W. P. Hazard. The latter one being the cheaper of the two, the form proposed more desirable, and editorship secured without additional cost, they unanimously recommended its adoption. Mr. Hazard being called upon, stated the substance of his proposition, viz.: that he would publish month- ly for one year a magazine of twelve pages quarto, including the cover, printed in the best manner, containing the monthly reports of the action of the Association, together with original matter, pro- vided the Association would assume and contribute to the expense of said publication the sum of three hundred dollars. He further stated that the cost of publishing such a magazine would certiiirily 32 be from four hundred to four hundred and fifty dollars ; but that he would assume the risk of reimbursing himself from the proceeds of subscriptions and advertisements. After a full discussion of the proposition and explanation from Mr. Hazard, the recommendations of the committee were adopted unanimously, and those present subscribed the sums set down to their names, to be paid in full, if necessary, or a ratable proportion with other subscriptions that may hereafter be received from those not present. [Subscription list follows. J The Committee on Milk reported that progress was being made, that a number of samples had been sent to Analyst Cochran, and they were not ready yet to report ; but would state it had been proven that Guernsey skim milk still retained 1.37 per cent, of fat even after close skimming, showing a great body and a richness, making it valuable for use. An invitation of Commissioner Loring to send a delegate to a meeting of Agriculturists, to take place at New Orleans February loth was accepted ; delegate to be any member attending the New Orleans Exposition at that date. The subject for discussion for the day was opened by an able paper by John C. Higgins,.on " Testing Cows and how they should be made." This presented some new views, inviting discussion ; it will be printed in the February number of the " Journal." This was followed by the article on " Testing Cows " by W. P. Hazard, and which he supplemented by some rules how tests should be made — first as to the feeding for it, and should not some rule be adopted, perhaps to be guided by the weights of animals to be test- ed, and to feed so much for every one hundred pounds. Second, the mode of setting, time of skimming, and whether whole milk should not be churned. Third, as to the season, whether on grass or dry food, the period of gestation, and the age of the ani- mal. The Secretary read the rules of the Guernsey Club. Mr. Michener spoke of the feeding of milk to cows as having an im- portant bearing upon tests, and that it ought not to be done or al- lowed, but just what food was given should be reported. Thomas M. Harvey said before we begin to test we should know how to separate better. He thought there was more butter or fat in the cubic inch of Guernsey butter than any other. It is needed that we should find out more about the cause of color in butter. It is well known that Jersey butter will lose its color in winter, and that Guernsey butter will not ; the latter is richer and worth more chemically. 33 Silas Betts said liis experience was that his Jersey butter would fall off in color in winter, and that was one reason for adopting the Guernsey, for he found the latter would hold its color in winter and all the time. He had to color his Jersey butter, just as all other owners of Jerseys do, but never his Guernsey butter ; also that the latter gave more on the same feed. He then showed a pound of butter from Guernsey grades made by 1. H. Hinchman, of Merchantville, N.J. He fed his three Jersey and fifteen Guern- sey grades daily rations of eight quarts 9-20 cornmeal, 5-20 brown middlings, and 6-20 coarse bran, mixed ; also eight pounds clover hay and two bushels of cut fodder. This is feeding for milking exclusively. In the last seven days he has shipped 560 pounds of milk and churned 311 pounds of butter from the surplus of unsold milk from these eighteen cows ; three of which are heifers with their first calves, and seven, more than half milked out their season. He knows more liberal treatment would produce better results. Henry Palmer reported tests of his milk, showing a variation of many degrees of per cent. Fifteen per cent, of cream rose on that first drawn from the cow; thirty-two per cent, from that taken at middle of milking, and sixty-four per cent, on the strippings ; all were set in ice water. Subject for next meeting: " How shall we best promote reg- ular breeding, and prevent barrenness in cows ?" Discussion to be opened by Thomas M. Harvey. W. P. HAZARD, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Second Month 15th, 1885. The Guernsey Breeders' Association met at their rooms Friday, February 15th, 1885. A good attendance. At the opening of the meeting, the Secretary was directed to cast the ballots electing Messrs. Willets, J. W. Fuller, A. Fuller, and S. Borden. Committee on Milk reported no progress was be- ing made on testing milk. Mr. Betts alluded to the London Dairy Show report on milk, and the breeds ranked thus : Guernsey, Jer- sey, Shorthorn, and Holstein — ^the last was the lowest; though it gave the most milk, it was too poor to sell under the law. The Secretary read E. Michener's yields of his cows, ranging from 5,709 pounds to 7,370 pounds for pure bred, and from 5,194 pounds to 34 6,389 pounds for grades for a year, thus showing what a farmer's herd of Guernsey stock is doing every year. Health Certificates. Alexander Scott brought up an important subject, that of driv- ing cattle through the country to be sold ; he thought a law should be passed that no public sales of stock should be held unless every head had a veterinary certificate of good health. This was sec- onded by Mr. Hazard, who said that Herkness & Co. were obliged to give a clean bill of health to every animal they sold at public sale, and it would be no more hardship for the country dealer to do the same. There ensued an animated discussion on this and pleuro-pneu- monia, but the general view was against the possibility of carrying out such a law. The discussion resulted in appointing a committee on contagious diseases to take this subject in hand. The President, Secretary, and George Blight were appointed. The question for discussion for the day, "How shall we best promote regular breeding, and prevent barrenness in cows?" was opened by Thomas M. Harvey, who gave some very interesting facts from his experiences. He commenced by saying that repro- duction was most likely in all cases, either by seed or eggs, if we could know the mysteries of every branch of nature ; all that is positively known in every case is that two sexes are required. He reviewed the vegetable world which is under the observation of all, and compared too vigorous vegetables or fruit trees with a too vig- orous heifer. If too vigorous, plants will not set much fruit ; it seems that growth checks fertilization. If a pear tree is not bear- ing and we cut the roots or bark, it will go to fruiting. Thus heif- ers, if too vigorous, will not breed. He described the generative parts, and showed how the passage into the womb may be some- times stopped up ; in the case of a heifer not breeding until she was three years old, he had forced open the passage while she was in heat and immediately copulated her with the bull, and is in hopes now she will breed. He tried another by swelling the neck vein, and bled her on each side, took a bucketful from each, and had her to catch after it. Externally we see the vulva ; by putting the hand in we come to the vagina, then to womb or uterus ; across this is a conical protuberance ; until the two come together the heifer can- not produce. This os uteri must be displaced ; heat does this, and the womb is opened and the male semen is deposited. At the ex- 35 tremity of the womb it is biped, or there are two horns leading up to the fallopian tubes connecting with the ovaries. Here eggs are constantly maturing, the mouths of the tubes catch the egg when ripened and convey it to the womb to be fructified. The ovaries are suspended under the kidneys. The bull's elements sometimes reach the ovaries. These parts may become diseased ; inflam- mation may take place and the foetus is dispelled. He narrated cases where the vitality was lost and a fungus had grown there. He had a heifer whose time was out; he turned her dry, her time came, but no calf; she afterwards came in heat, was served, but proved unfruitful. He then beefed her, and upon killing her found that the foetus had died and dried up like a mummy. Thought it was very necessary to watch after our cows when near calving ; this one might have been ready to calve, but no one was near to help her. Other Breeding Defects. There are other drawbacks often met with, not only of failure of delivery, but of false presentation and other defects, and he spoke of modes of overcoming these troubles. He gave cases of false presentation, where he had to take the calf away in pieces ; the parts were born and sterility produced. But in other cases he pushed back the foetus, changed its position, and though the cow had tried and failed, with assistance she had a fine bull calf, which was now living. He had so many cases conflicting with the theory of alternate sexes, or ability to produce either, that he had no faith in it. The Placenta. The signs of calving are indicated by the swelling of the cords alongside the tail ; the vulva will swell and go back again, especially in heifers. If the placenta is slow in coming away after calving it should be removed, especially after abortion. This is done by in- serting the arm, separating the numerous cotyledons and removing all in a bunch ; it is harder to do this on an old cow than a young one. Had tried weights attached to the placenta in dilatory cases, but they don't always prove good. One cause of cows not getting in calf is, they will sometimes strain and evict the male semen. R. H. Hodgson said the use of bleeding is that it relaxes the sys- tem. He don't think a cow with the secretions dry will live with dead calf in her of full size. There are little knots on placenta, if healthy, like little burrs, or knots that will split, and, upon detaching these, the placenta will come away easily. 36 Thomas M. Harvey, on removing the placenta, puts in the right hand ; the womb has all over it cotyledons — these are what are to be separated to draw out the placenta. Do each one separately, and then have the placenta in a loose bunch and draw it out. He could not always get it all away, as in a big cow it reaches up too far for the length of the arm. Mr. Hodgson — If the cow calves naturally and the placenta comes away, all is right and nice, but if it hangs out and will not come away, it is very bad to leave it, as it rots and smells. T. M. Harvey thinks abortion is contagious, and sometimes caused by a bull. Alexander Scott thought it never was. Thomas M. Harvey — Degeneration of the ovaries he was not competent to treat of. He might give relaxing medicine, such as belladonna. Keeping her away from the bull for a time will some- times induce her to take hold. Another one suggested some ex- tract of tobacco. Joseph Pyle had never missed his cows casting placenta, by putting blanket on her and given warm mash of bran. George Blight thought if breeders would study the Guenon system more, they would not find these breeding troubles in the higher classed escutcheons, those of the first and second classes and orders, but they would be very likely to do so in all below the third order. A heifer born in the fifth order will hardly ever breed right, for she is malformed and does not show any good marks. A solution of carbolic acid and tepid water as an injection, hav- ing been suggested to help the ejection of the placenta, J. C. Hig- gins, thought carbolic acid was poisonous and not very proper to handle with a cut or break ; but when refined and deodorized and rendered soluble, it has no poison whatever. Would not use caus- tic soda ; carbolic acid diluted will kill parasitic life, or act as disin- fectant, and is very valuable. A very little in a bucket of water will color the water like milk ; 25 parts to 100 of water would be very strong ; i to 100 is attenuated, but is still valuable. Both he and Alexander Scott praised Little's chemical dip, as did others. Free-Martins. Mr. Betts said that he had Free-martins that were breeding. Alexander Scott has one that he thinks is. Ezra Michener breeds heifers so as to have them come in at two years old ; he does not feed and breed so they will get fat and look beefy ; such make more uncertain breeders. Silas Betts don't breed as though he was grow- ing Short-horns. Fatted calves did not turn out well with him, while a scrawny bull calf will often turn out the best working animal. We 37 want to give the Guenon marks on tendency to beef ; some try to make them so handsome and so make them fat ; some of his had proved fat beefy cows, and proved inferior. The Guernsey is eas- ily fattened on less feed than any other animal I ever owned of other breeds. Over-feeding would produce beef instead of milk — same as on Short-horns. When in calf then you may and should increase the feed. The danger is in giving them too much before they breed. Bulls fed moderately will not get too heavy. New buyers should not seek the fat and heavy animals. He had sold two heifers and a bull to Virginia ; these heifers averaged 950 pounds at two years old, and the owner had to put them on poor feed and grass to keep them back. On Sterility. Thomas M. Harvey said that in the West (in Iowa) cattle were put on public land ; the scrub bulls were at large and vigorous. They all agreed to keep up their bulls and it made them sterile ; they must have^some exercise, even work. Management of Bulls. Isaac Nicholson said that if bulls were kept up all the time, after awhile they will not be certain as calf-getters. If confined, bulls are not sure after three years old. If you have a two year and one year, together, they will not try to get into other pastures, and are not so fierce. The best age to ring a bull is at one year old, and they may be allowed to begin to serve then. Young bulls are more sure than older ones. He had given to cows, tincture of ergot after they had calved, to expel the placenta ; a tablespoonful in a pint of water, divided into three or four doses, and given, say, every six hours. Silas Betts — You may give tincture of Pulsatilla, ten drops two or three times. Alexander Scott spoke of the price of bulls. What is a good one worth ? One says they are worth $25, and another $500. He thought young bulls not the best ; an old bull is a great deal the best. A good bull is worth any sum you choose to ask, and a poor one is worth nothing or less. They should be handled when young, and broken single or double alongside an old ox. White or Dark Noses. John C. Higgins inquired if. the distinction between white and dark noses should be countenanced. Mr. Betts thought it ought to be put down and no attention paid to it, and as an Associa- 38 tion we should not recognize it. Messrs. Blight, Hazard, Palmer, and others thought no attention should be paid to the color of the nose. The latter stated he should breed to one he was raising, with a dark nose. Mr. Hazard said it was not in the scale of points in either Herd Books, and was given no thought in Guernsey. The subject for discussion for next meeting was to be " The Guernsey scale of points as indicative of a first-class animal con- sidered." George Blight was appointed to open the discussion. W. P. HAZARD, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Third Month 13th, 1885. The Guernsey Breeders' Association met at their rooms on Friday, March 13th, 1885. Thomas Sharpless was proposed for membership. In allusion to report of previous meeting, it was said that black noses were plenty on the Island, and not disliked by most breeders. An implement for testing cream, price eight dollars, it was stated was made in New York to test by ether and a water bath ; it had been tried at Mr. Fuller's, and it gave the like result three times from the same milk. J. C. Higgins spoke on pleuro-pneumonia, and of an instance which Dr. Rowland said was a clearly-defined -case of it. The cow was eighteen years old ; he advised inoculation, that it was harm- Jess ; in three or four days after, she would be in normal condition, then for a day or two be drooping, then would continue to be healthy. He inoculates in the tail, and for two years the animal would be protected ; it is done by drawing an infected thread through the tail near the end. Isaac Nicholson cited an instance where forty cows were in- fected, two died, and it shows it was bad because it was in cold weather. He advised inoculation ; the owner got virus and inocu- lated them ; their temperature rose to 105° while they had it-. The veterinary said their milk was good at any time while below 103°. When inoculated, others might be introduced into the herd without fear; one heavy in calf, not inoculated, took it and was quite sick. The tail should not get down into the dirt, as there would be danger of its sloughing off. The inoculated would show signs that they had taken it by a rising of their temperature ; it made it more of a skin 39 than a lung disease. He believed they could communicate the dis- ease if inoculated, but only for a short time ; it might affect the manure and barn, but the latter could be disinfected with sulphuric acid. He would not advise inoculation until there was a case in the herd. E. Michener stated that his father and his brother, in two years past, had inoculated herds in New York, and had extermi- nated it at Clinton, N. J., for a space within ten miles. Thomas Harvey alluded to Garret's cattle ; they were now all dead. Exhalations passing up through the hay, infected them. He would not advise inoculation, it brings the virus on the farm. Pleuro could be carried from farm to farm in the clothing. Edward Walters does not think much of the quarantine, as the cattle were turned out in the field and might communicate it to the neighbors' cattle. It was hard on renters of farms. He thought it proper as soon as the stock was healthy, that they should ,have a right to sell it. Anthony Higgins spoke of Edgemoor Farm ; they had the dis- ease there in 1883. The barn was fumigated and disinfected, and the cattle removed to another barn. Next year the disease broke out on the Bigger farm, and thence spread. But the Edgemoor farm was clear in 1884; but this winter it broke out again in the barn where it originated, though thoroughly disinfected, and the herdsman thought it was because some must have remained in the barn. In the discussion, it was thought unjust in the State paying so little, and that law and public opinion should force them to inocu- late, and cattle should not be removed from farm Mr. Higgins said the law in Delaware is that they shall be inoculated. Isaac Nicholson thought there is much danger from the hay being infected. Carbolic acid was good, but was absorbed by the milk and spoiled the taste ; in using sulphuric acid, put it into the water and not the water into it; it was the best thing to use. In- oculation should be done at six inches from end of tail, not near the anis, or it would be a bad case. Sulphate of iron was not active enough. Alexander Scott had used Animal Oil, and liked it very much. E. Walter thought Little's Chemical Fluid very good, as did several others. Mr. Blight read an excellent paper on the subject of discussion for the day : " The Guernsey scale of points as indicative of a first-class animal considered." 40 Silas Betts liked pedigree as well, if not a little better, than points. He illustrated his preferences by the bull Rioter, 670, an imported bull, and which had sired for him Duchess of Bloomfield, twenty pounds ; Su Lu, seventeen pounds fifteen ounces ; Lady Bloomfield, fourteen pounds twelve and a half ounces ; etc. He discussed and praised the American Guernsey scale, that it gave the most points directly where it was needed — to the udder ; it was liberal also to the skin, hair, and escutcheon. While he never cared to buy a cow without a good escutcheon, and always looked to that point ; still he was not prepared to go as far as friend Blight in that matter. An animated discussion followed upon the value of the escut- cheon, as being an indication of the qualities of the animal. W. P. Hazard said he had paid much attention to the quirl of the hair on the back, and found it to agree with Mr. Blight's opinion of it, and thought it was a point of value to be always considered. It would generally be found to harmonize with the class of escutcheon on the animal, and the poorer the quirl the lower order of its class of escutcheon the animal would have The farther forward from the exact middle of the length of the animal, as measured from the forehead to the root of the tail, the larger and coarser the quirl, the more likely the animal to have a thick, beefy shoulder and a bad neck, and an imperfect escutcheon, and most likely thick thighs and a small udder; in short, the nearer a beef animal. But nearer the centre of the back, the finer the hair and the smaller the quirl, the more likely the animal to have fine and good points. It is, too, a very good point from which to estimate the quality of the milk, as the smaller and the finer the quirl is, the more likely the quality to be good, though in many cases where it is coarse, and especially on a large vigorous animal, the quantity may be large, but the quality of the milk will be poor. The differences between some of the members here as to judging from the escutcheon as a standpoint, arise from not judging by Guenon's rules, which asssign ten points for an accurate basis for judging and not the escutcheon only. In fact, the latter may be said to be merely a concentration of outward marks, to be read with a knowledge of what constitutes a good cow ; these rules, Guenon is emphatic in detailing. Mr. Hazard then entered into a comparison between the Island Herd Book scale of points and that of the American Herd Book. The former assigns thirteen points to "quality of milk," the Amer- ican, thirty points ; the Island book, twenty-two points to "quanti- 41 ty and duration of flow ;" the American, forty ; tlie Island, ten points to "size and substance ;" the American, sixteen ; the Island, fifty-five points to "symmetry;" and the American, fourteen. Thus to the one hundred points in each scale, the American gives to deep yellow color, thirty ; skin and hair, ten ; escutcheon, ten ; milk veins and udder, thirty ; or seventy points to the main essen- tials, and only thirty points to size and conformation. He hoped the excellent points necessary to a good dairy animal would always be maintained by our Guernsey Club as being the best scale of points in existence. The Jersey breeders were now tinkering with their scale, the Directors having adopted a new one, which was a great falling off in the really meritorious points of the animal, and he feared was being made to suit much of the bad breeding that had crept in. This was being evidenced by the lower prices the Jerseys were bringing at each succeeding sale, only the really good ones main- taining their prices. The effort should be to elevate the scale and not to depreciate it. Unless the highest standard was maintained up to which to breed, careless breeding would increase. Ezra Michener read the original scale of points he had drawn up as one of the committee, and it seemed excellent. He thought the point " duration of flow," could not be told accurately, as so much depended upon proper feeding and milking. Mr. Blight said though, the points of a good cow could readily be told, and upon this basis could posi- tively be told what she would do when well fed and milked ; if she was not properly treated, of course, she would not come up to the mark, but that did not affect the possibility of saying what she could do. Anthony Higgins valued pedigree very much ; he had owned a Laverack setter that was poor in himself, but he was the sire of some most noted dogs ; he had inherited good traits. John C. Higgins narrated a case where, guided by the state- ments of A. M. Herkness & Co., he had bought a cow selected by Fowler that proved not in calf, and was always coming in sea- son ; he killed her, as she had been in that condition for a long time ; she made very nice fat beef, and with best marbling, but rather dear eating. Thomas M. Harvey thought we ought always, when killing non-breeders, to dissect and examine them and report what is discovered. He thought we should urge the passage of the law not to sell at public sales without a certificate of health. An- thony Higgins suggested that the Committee of Pleuro-Pneumonia 42 shquld report what legislation is needed', examine present laws on contagious diseases, and report what they call for and what is needed. The following resolution was passed : Resolved, That the Committee on Pleuro-Pneumonia be and they are hereby instructed to prepare and present to the Legisla- ture any amendments, in their judgment,, required to further guard, against the spread of contagious diseases. Second, That the com- mittee be requested to report at the next meeting the best steps to take to see that offenders against such laws are prosecuted and the laws enforced. The subject for next meeting is, "What shall we do with our bull calves," and Exra Michener was appointed to open the discus- sion. W. P. HAZARD, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Fourth Month 10th, 1885. The Association met at their rooms R-iday, April loth, 1885. Thomas. Sharpless and A. Wilheim were elected members, William M. Paul suggested that speakers not members of the Club should occasionally be invited to address the meeting. It was thought it would be attractive to such persons to attend the, meetings, that they may see the farm and stock. Adopted. Ezra Michener read a statement of the work of his herd for the past year, ending April ist, 1885, ^s follows : Average number of cows kept, i2>^ ; average per cow of milk, 6^082 pounds; average per cow of butter, 282 pounds ; average per cow of money and calves, ^121.96. The herd consisted of six thoroughbreds, four grades, and the balance common cows. Four of them were heifers with their first calves, but are reckoned as full cows. No calf in this valuation is placed at a higher figure than fifty dollars, although 1 have two that five times that amount would not pur- chase. Had all the' cows been^ Guernseys or grades, I am confident the average would have been fully 300 pounds. This statement of the working of a farmer's herd, of which the owner is producing the butter for market, was thought to be an excellent one, and that Mr. Michener's estimate of the value of the Guernsey yield was quite correct. To this there was an objection ; but Mr. Michener over-ruled this by stating it to be his purpose to have his herd eventually consist of thoroughbreds only, as his daily 43 handling of the three kinds in his herd convinced him, that his rev- enue would be larger, not only from an increased amount of butter, but from the higher value of the increase of the herd. He found no trouble in selling his pure-bred bulls to his neighbors at good prices, and he always had a larger demand for heifers than he could supply. Mr. Michener then opened the discussion of the day by reading a paper on "What shall we do with our bull calves ?" The sub- ject is one of considerable interest tq the large breeders of Guern- seys, who have several calves to dispose of in the course of a year. With the small breeders the want of a sale for bull calves is not felt in so great a degree, as the home market absorbs about all there may be for sale. In starting out on this subject, it might be well to commence by breeding fewer bulls, and thus make a corner in the market. There have been a great many theories advanced on this subject by enthusiasts who naake up their minds on a cer- tain subject in advance of any practical proof of the same, and blindly follow their beliefs, despite the numerous failures; which others can see, while they do not. The latest theoiiy-on this point is that the tendency of each sex is to produce its opposite, and that the result will, be governed by whichever parent possesses the greater vitality at the time of con- ception. While I place no confidence whatever in this theory, or any other wiith which I am acquainted, 1 must acknowledge that there is some unalterable law governing the same \yhich will in time be discovered. We will therefore have to. be content with the bull calves as fast as they arrive, and endeavor to sell the good ones to the best advantage. Right here comes in, perhaps, the most difficult task the breeder has to contend with, and that is, to ascertain which are the best. Some of us will first examine the escutcheon, and if this, is deficient, immediately consign him to the butcher. A few others will say he has a black, nose, and 1 do not want him ; others, he is either too short or too long, head too big or too little, too much white or not enough, no evidence of any false teats or milk veins, and so on to the. end of the chapter. The plain facts of the case are that no man can tell how a bull, will breed until he is tried, andithis is after all, the true test qf his valiue. In order to dispose of our bull calves,, some little missionary work could be followed, with, 1 think, future good success. We should be ever ready to educate the common farmers up to that point of kno.wledge which will lead them to see that the grade •Guernsey cow is the most profitable on the face of the earth for 44 them to possess, and after they have learned this fact, not to put too high a price on our bull calves so as to deter them from purchas- ing. A little experiment of mine might very profitably be related. There are within a quarter of a mile of my place, four high grade Guernsey cows, sired by my bull (owned by four different persons who only keep one cow apiece) that make from ten to fourteen pounds of butter per week, whenever fresh, winter or summer, and without any extra care whatever. I have in this manner, since I have been breeding Guernseys, endeavored to educate the people of my own district to the great advantage it would be to them to have a herd of grades instead of the common stock, and have met with very gratifying success. I have sold three bull calves to one dairyman and have his order booked for a fourth, whenever I can accommo- date him with a good calf at twenty-five dollars. It might be well if breeders would castrate a calf that was large and had a good constitution, and was not descended from par- ticularly good parents, in order to show more fully the size and beef qualities of our stock which we know them to possess, al- though I am not wedded to the principle of a perfect butter and beef animal in one, yet we come a little nearer this than any other breed with which I am acquainted. To sum up, I would say, cultivate your home market by freely showing your stock to your neighbors and friends, and by exhibit- ing them and their products at your county fairs, and do not be afraid to tell the people what you possess. Advertise your bull calves in the local papers, if you have an over-supply, and put a price on them that will not frighten a man who is forced to make a living by farming. An occasional advertisement in the " Breeders' Journal " and " Country Gentleman " will be highly advantageous, as you will find other breeders who must of necessity have a change of blood in their herds to avoid too much in-breeding. In this case also the price should be moderate, and not run up into the thousands, as all fictitious prices do more harm than good, in my estimation. 1 am well aware that a good bull in a herd is bet- ter at a high price than a poor one for nothing, yet in my exper- ience I have bred but one bull that I could not recommend to any of my fellow breeders." Mr. Betts has quit breeding grades, but his experiments with both Channel Island breeds lead me to say that the Guernsey bulls get the best grades. Alexander Scott has two bulls, and never could change the color of the nose entirely or with certainty. The 45 white-nose had gotten five light-nosed out of the Biddle black-nosed stock, but the balance were, and it thus changed his opinion that a bull could do it. Mr. Paul spoke of two very superior herds in New Jersey which have Guernsey bulls at their heads, and with these the Jer- sey grades, which were the foundation, have been gradually brought up to their high excellence. Mr. Betts said that our best work is to introduce Guernsey bulls. A good one has no limit as to price, and is as valuable as those of any other breed. Joseph Evans thought it best in making grades, to breed the Jersey and Guernsey together, as they assimilate so well, though it was too costly to practice. A. Scott prefers a first-class York State cow and Guernsey bull for grades, as the bull puts his mark strong on the calf. Mr. Evans differed with him. Mr. Betts said natives were more impressible, as they held no strong points to overcome, and were the best for Jersey or Guernsey grades. He read the new proposed scale of points for Jerseys in the " Country Gentleman," and showed from it and his breeding from Rioter, 670, that there must have been much of similarity between the two breeds, and the Guernsey influence was very strong. They might formerly have been identical, as the black noses may have come from the same source. Mr. Paul said that the dairymen will not have Jerseys, because they are not strong enough to stand the cold and yield much, and were not large enough. Adjourned to meet Friday, May 15th, at Joseph Evans's, Marlton, N. J. Subject for discussion : " The Guernsey Breeder," and opened by W. M. Paul. W. P. HAZARD, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Fifth Month 15th, 1885. The May meeting of the Guernsey Breeders' Association was held near Marlton, N. J., at the residence of Joseph Evans, on Friday, May 15th, 1885. The report of the committee on milk analysis was called for. Thomas M. Harvey reported no progress, except that Prof. Coch- ran was ready in the new laboratory to make the analyses. Mr. Harvey wanted explicit directions what to do. He feared the shak- 46 ing of the milk would prevent the proper determination O'f its con- stituents ; the effort should be to find oUt how much fat was in the Guernsey milk. W. I. Tomlinson stated that he had milk with iS.44 per cent, solids ; they were half 'Guernsey. George Abbott furnished an ac- count of a grade herd of 13.12 per cent, solids; part Jersey and part Guernsey ; they were in Clayton Haines' herd. Isaac Nichol- son said tthere wouldheovertwenty-five per cent, of fresh and drying up cows. When an analysis is taken from a herd, a saffipl'e from each one shouM be taken and all mixed, and a sample of the mix- ture be sent for analysis. It should be known what stage of milk- ing the cattle were in, and the season of the year should be taken into consideration, the food shoCi'ld be 'known, etc. The period of lactation makes a difference of twenty-five to thirty-three per cent, of the 'percentage. He had collected over one hundred and fifty sam- ples for analysis fCr the State Board of Agriculture of 'New Jersey, Theper cent, of total solids was only 12. 59 in early summer, and -15. 47 in October from the same dairy. He had no complaint of any samples sent except one, and that was from delay o'f express mes- senger. He was always very particular that the milk should be cooled before the sample was closed up, as the anima^I heat would affect it much and quickly. If the quantity of the yield was kept up to about the same number of quarts, the variation would not be so great as where one hundred a protection against less scrupulous alien importers. "Another point, and this, one of far more interest and of far more importance than the q;U€stion of origin, andfar more flattering, is the marvellous milk and butter qualities this breed possesses ; and if it is gratifying to boast of long and unsullied pedigree, it is tar more so to find that the generations which have come and gone Jiave borne but one and the same testimony ' to the unequaled and 56 unsurpassed richness of the Guernsey cow.' We are living in a period when high pressure is brought to bear on every article of produce, as well as commerce, when everything is weighed in the scale of comparisons, analyzed in the crucible of merit, eyed through the microscope of competition ; still the tribute paid to the Guernsey cow remains the same, her fame is as fresh and unsul- lied as ever ; though at a period of intense competition, the verdict is still the same, and confirms the old, old story. " If the excellence and qualities of our cattle have been slow to spread, it has been sure and undisputed. The color of the butter and the quality of the milk have the first place in the appreciation of all breeders. Imported into England, her place has been to color the butter of their herds. The milk of one Guernsey cow impart- ing color and flavor to a herd of a dozen, she has become the family cow, and her produce has been laid on the rich man's table in pref- erence to all native produce ; and here we would ask to what other breed has this compliment been paid ? What has been said in England has been re-echoed in America, and wafted back to us across the broad Atlantic. Nearly fifty years ago the Guernsey was imported into America, and since 1840 the Biddies, the Fishers, Dr. King, and other residents near Philadelphia, have them in their dairies, and no other breed has been allowed to replace them. To- day America counts this breed by thousands, and the American Guernsey Herd Book Club alone has over three thousand head of cattle entered on their registry, and still all has been done without noise, without sound of trumpet. There has been no Guernsey fever, no hue and cry after milk and butter records, no sensational sales ; all has gone on imperceptibly, as it were, and almost un- known to the Guernsey farmer himself. To-day we look with pleasure to the gigantic strides toward popularity taken by this breed in this great country, and we watch with increasing interest the work now carried on by its admirers. " It is not a question of beauty alone that we are pleading, but one of quality and beauty combined. When we come across a Short-Horn or a Hereford, the first impression on our mind is what a fine beef animal ; when we see a Jersey our first thought is what a pretty little beast ; but when we meet a Guernsey, the first and lasting impression on our mind is what a splendid milch-cow. You see it is in the broad, golden rim encircling her eyes, in her glossy horns and hoofs ; you see it in the orange color of her skin, some- times so full of yellow dandruff as to appear as if the animal had been powdered with gold-dust ; you see it in a skin as soft as vel- 57 vet, in her long head and neck, deep wedge-shaped shoulders ; in these long, prominent milk veins, and finally you see it in that large, deep, well-filled silken bag, so yellow, and enveloped by a skin so soft, and so thin as to almost appear transparent; and lastly, if you are still incredulous, a look inside the ear will be sufficient to convince you of the excellency of the animal before you. But add to these points — so essential to a dairy cow — her benevolent look- ing head, with its large dreamy eyes and clear buff nose, and the beautiful coat of red or lemon fawn and white, and you are justi- fied in adding the word beautiful to the quality of good." " It is not simply on English and American fields that the praise, of the Guernsey cow has been sung ; for the same praises come to us from Paris as from the Cape ; from Australia as from New Zea- land ; and the animal fostered in her native land, or closely con- fined in the winter snows of Canada, or roaming in American ranches, retains the same characteristic qualities ; and her milk is as abundant and as rich, her butter as yellow and as fine, as when seen for the first time neatly laid between two fresh green cabbage leaves, and" covered with white linen, in the basket of a Guernsey farmer's pretty wife in the stately market of old St. Peter-Port. " One more important feature of this breed, is its power of fixing strains. It is a well known fact that young animals throw back and develop the traits of a remote rather than those of an immedi- ate sire. Here, thanks to purity of blood, the traits are fixed, there is no " striking back," and this is so strong that often it is difficult to detect the cross from pure stock, so strongly is the offspring simi- lar to its sire. This is applicable to this breed alone, and is of the greatest importance to those who grade up herds for dairy purposes. " Enough has been said to prove the marvellous superiority of this breed, and as the winner of the Derby received the acclama- tion of the thousands of admirers of horse flesh, so should the Guernsey cow remain facile princeps with those interested in the breeding of horned cattle. The Guernsey farmer is now awake to the importance of keeping a correct registry of his herd, and also milk and butter records. The Royal Agricultural Society's Herd- book is there as a guarantee of the genuineness of this registry, and there is no doubt that the Guernsey cow will, in the course of a few years, be known and appreciated in every hamlet of Old Eng- land." After some routine business, the question of the day, " Points of Selection of Animals for Dairy Purposes," was opened by the host, W. P. Hazard, who said in substance : " The student of 58 Guenon will see that he was a master judge of stock. After many- years of much experience, he was able to state that, under given circumstances good cattle would have certain points of agreement, and when the surroundings of animals were taken into considera- tion, very nearly the amount of product can be told by one who can combine these points. The strongest and most preliminary point of judging the quality of an animal must be its constitution and its health, for this will give it the ability to do what is expected of it. Without this foundation it will not have the ability to do or to do it long. With health assured, the wonderful compound piece of nat- ural machinery works true and for a specific object. " We see four points of Guenon as follows : health and prOpelr conformation, the skin, the hair, and these as affected by the health and climate. We supplement these points by others which we have practiced for years ; we like to handle the flank skin, for, being near the udder, it partakes more fully of its character. By the sight and the feel of this the judge will get the best and most accurate value of the quality of the skin. Then proceed to exarh- ine a fatty protuberahce under and near the end of the lower jaw. Our observations foi- many years have proved to us that whei-e the protuberance is very full, very soft, and especially very yellow, and so large as to be divided into two parts, that cOw is more than likely to be a rich butter cow, and that its milk will be very rich. " Now let us examine the rear portion of the aninial which is cov- ered by the escutcheon — the sole indicator of the internal capacity of the udder. If this is large, covered with fine short hair, and as near to no hair at all as can be, and if the skin within its outlines is of that peculiar yellow color called nankeen — and this skin is soft, thin and of a rich greasy feeling — and if on scratching the skin the nail dislodges little scales of a fatty substance called dandruff, then we feel convinced that we are handling a cow rich, and of good quality. The interior of the ears of such a cow will most likely show the richest yellow. The horns will most probably be fine, of waxy semi-translucent appearance. Few really good cows have the chalky white horns. Around the eyes the rim will have a rich, saffron shade of color. As the udder is the receptacle from which this goodness is to come, we must examine this carefully to see that it is of the proper full shape in each quarter, nearly round in the lower portion, extending high and full behind, with as little hair upon it as we can get, but with a soft, rich, mellow skin, as near a deep rich yellow as we see in Guernseys, well marked with large veins, one of the most indubitable signs of a long milking cow ; the teats of a good size and of a golden hue." 59 Mr. Blight said : " I desire to commend Mr. Hazard's article. It opens up a subject in a way which should be examined and stud- ied by every member of the club. It is in advance of even Mr. Guenon. Mr. Guenon does not include as many aids as Mr. Haz- ard and others who have been Mr. Guenon's students. I would call attention to a quirl on the back in addition to some of the sug- gestions made. It should be back of the shoulder, and the nearer the tail the better. I also think theie is a great deal to be depended upon the horns. A coarse, thick, chalky horn, and especially an upturned and flaring horn, is to be avoided. It indicates a wild, nervous disposition, and not a good milker." Mr. Kent said the horns could be turned and trained to grow inward and downward. Several suggestions were made concern- ing horns. Alexander Scott said a perfect head will show a perfect horn and a perfect cow. Mr. Betts called attention to the tests reported in the " Journal " for July. After dinner Mr. Blight called attention to the fact that the State Agricultural Society would open in Philadelphia on the 23rd of September, and hoped the Asso- ciation would be well represented by some of their choice Guern- sey cattle. S. Betts discussed the management of the fair ; the way out- siders were brought in ; the various ways of judging; the awards should be made honestly and rigorously, and should be made known. W. P. Hazard thought the judges should be carefully selected, so that they should have no interest in the awards ; that they should be employed and compensated, and then be held rigorously to account, if necessary, for their awarding ; that their names should be printed in the premium lists, so that every one would know who was to be judge, and what they would have to enjoy or submit to, and then they^ knowing who would be competent or otherwise, would be guided in sending their stock. As it is now the stock is sent and submitted to judges, sometimes, that the owners would think very unfit. E. Michener stated his experience as judge ; at one dairy fair in New York a man came behind him and offered him a fifty dollar bill. Experiences were related in feeding cotton-seed meal. Thomas Sharpless fed from two to three pints twice a day, and it had no bad effects. In summer it and corn meal would soften the butter. He saw in Tennessee, cows feeding from piles of seed in the fields. Does not believe it creates abortion. Charles Carter had fed it moderately, but found no trouble, though he depends more upon 6o bran. He does not believe it affects abortion, Joseph G. Williams stated that his cousin used to have abortion, but feeds cotton-seed meal now, and has no cases of it; it mellows the skin of his steers and cows. Oats ground will make milk and butter, but perhaps not of the highest quality ; it may make it white. His Guernsey butter was firm, and his grades when he first got them made the hardest kind of butter, harder than from natives. The best lard is the firmest. Mr. Betts never had any trouble keeping his Guernsey butter, and don't believe, if made with proper care, but that it is as firm as any other. It is so rich it requires care. He has kept it in sum- mer for four weeks in his cellar as good as any. Alexander Scott has carried it to Philadelphia, and has never used ice, either with cream or milk, and a better, firmer grained butter he never made. But he never used ice for cream or butter when he was feeding cotton-seed. William B. Harvey thought at times Guernsey butter was not as firm as the Jersey, because there was more of the oleine in the former thaninthe latter, which has morecaseine. Has made both at his dairy at the same time, and tested them, and he found the Jersey would stand up better, because it is not so rich ; but the quality of the Guernsey is much richer all the time, and the color a great deal better, especially in winter. But he had to use ice, and that would affect it. Mr. Balderston could not gather his butter at 64 degrees, it was so hard. Ezra Michener never had soft butter ; he churns at 62 degrees ; milk set in Cooley creamer ; the cream stands in the cel- lar always at about 62 degrees ; he has made Guernsey butter for about eight years. His neighbors with Jerseys have butter not so solid. Both he and Mr. Betts think it a mistake to suppose Guern- sey butter is soft ; the beginners sometimes say so, but the older ones talk of it as firm. Thomas Sharpless has a neighbor who makes his butter in a spring house, and has never churned soft but- ter. His own experience differed somewhat. He attributes it to the difference in spring houses. His water is deep under ground and not affected by the temperature. It is the damp and mucky weather that makes bad butter. Joseph Williams did not believe this was the cause. It was thought different temperatures and different places make the varia- tions ; but it shows inferences drawn from limited observation and ^experience alters results. 6i George Abbott does not think rich milki spoils any sooner than poor milk ; he has found the cream on top sour, but could sell the skim milk below. The butter discussion was continued for awhile, and the meet- ing adjourned to meet at the call of the Secretary at S. P. Taber Willets's, August 14th. Minutes of Meeting held Ei|$htii Month 14th, 1885. The Association, pursuant to call, met at the elegant residence of Mrs. S. P- Taber Willets, Roslyn, L. I.— the only lady member. The Secretary was directed to cast the ballot for the members nominated at last meeting. W. B. Harvey read a partial report submitted by the Com- mittee on Milk, presented some photos of the full and skim milk of "Worthy Beauty" and of starch prepared by Prof. Cochran, and stated that the Professor intended spending much time here- after in testing milks. The Secretary presented the invitation of the National Cattle Growers' Association to become a member. It was partially dis- cussed, and referred to the Executive Committee. Senator King, of New York State, being present, extended a welcome to the Association on their first visit to Long Island. He said : "We have gone through various phases of experience with the different breeds of cattle ; the Devon was the first, and next it was the Short Horn, for which this place is noted ; that phase has passed, for our farms are getting too small. So we come to the Jerseys and the Guernseys. The present place of meeting had bred the Devon, Short Horn, Jersey, and other animals, but all had been disposed of, and now the thoroughbred Guernseys were the only cattle on the place ; and the action of the host was an illus- tration of what is being done in many other parts of the Island. " I, with many others, have concluded that the Guernsey is best adapted to our purpose, as my father and Mr. Biddle had done long ago in Pennsylvania." Their experience was admirable, the milk and cream was so much richer than that of others. His father had said about the Jersey : " Why do you bring such little cattle here to spoil the breed ?" It went along so for two years ; then he 62 gave him a Guernsey bull calf. After a while he said: "My butter is getting so much better; I can't understand it." He said it was the extra quality of the pasture. As the bull's influ- ence widened, after another year he came and said it was the ani- mal that made the superior quality of the milk, and now I will not exchange the Guernsey for any other The Guernseys have the qualities which the Jerseys have not; the latter lack the strength, the bone, and muscle. I am glad to see that Mrs. Willets has gone into their rearing. All Mrs.Willets's animals are good and worthy of her as a member of this Associa- tion. She has already sent a good sire to Texas. He has thirty acres and he tethers them entirely ; it is his ex- perience and that of his neighbors that they have very fine butter cows. " It is a great pleasure to us of Long Island to welcome your Association here ; this house has always been noted for its hospitality," were his concluding words. Col. M. C. Weld, of the "American Agriculturist" corps, said that he was an old lover of the Guernsey, and first introduced them to the notice of Mrs. Willets in the cow " Fernslie Cottie," and had made the first picture of "Cottie," mother of "Fernslie," from which animal seven quarts of milk would make a pound of butter. One point may be a heresy to allude to, and that is the be^f qualities of the Guernsey. She is pre-eminently the farmer's cow, for not only is she the best butter maker, but her beef qualities are important — the calves are good for veal, and the animal afterward is so good for beef; it helps their introduction, is the reason he alluded to it. "After visiting the Island of Guernsey, I was tempted to talk of its cattle. I then dwelt on that point, as this matter of beef is the leverage point to use with the uneducated mind." He then spoke of Mr. Swain's early experience ; his attentiori was called to Guernseys by his having a Guernsey farmer, \yho came over on a cod-fish vessel. He imported through this nrian's friends two head of Guernseys, and one from Alderney, and one from Sark. His habit was to visit different vessels arrivirig, and buying such animals as were brought over ; at one time he bought a zebu, and added to his herd. He had a fancy for buffaloes, and had an idea that the blue color of the Jerseys was due to the Euro- pean bison mixture. These Mr. Swain experimented with in breeding. He had one mixture of buffalo that gave forty per cent, of crearn. Her daughter looked like a high-bred Jersey, but her tail was very short. The third generation, by a Jersey bull, pro- 63 duced a genuine Jersey ; result — one buffalo cross, one unknown cross, and one Ayrshire cross. But all these experiments were thrown aside for the pure Guernsey. The question of the day for discussion was next introduced : "Will the rearing of Guernseys afford profitable employment for women ?" John C. Higgins expressed the thought that if ladies shall desire to rear fine stock (and it is a laudable one) then the Guern- seys are the best. Nothing yields so rich cream, as the rich cream of to-day shows; it is unexcelled ; nothing could excel it, though the Jersey may equal it in some respects ; it is as rich as cream should be. In the animal, there is that peculiar placidity, that affection for human kind not excelled by any, unless by the dog or the cos- set lamb. It is the best and most intimate friend on the farm. It will approach you or wait until you come to it. If we have beauty of form, richness of cream, this kindly disposition, what can be more delightful ? "The charms of farming are praised, but among all of them nothing is a higher joy to me than my cattle. Any lady who has the enthusiasm of our hostess will find that nothing can be more delightful ; her success is what might warrant any one to take it up, as she has done ; she has a herd of the highest type — having the Short Horn qualities with that of the greatest richness. Such a home on the farm is the best safeguard for her children ; but she no^ust educate them by improving the stock of cattle not only for herself but for the country. Ambition of sending such animals^ to England may be held up to the children. If Mr. and Mrs. Willets, would, (and this Association would recoiprnend they should) put their judgment and energy into this breeding, they would become npted^." Silas Betts. said : " Our presence here as an Association bears testimony that pur hostess' efforts are to be (-Qmipendi^dj. In addi- tion to merits, it is only appropriate that thy^ ^xafffp}.§ set by her should be widely imitated. Women have ^.een successful and noted for raising fine herds ; one fpr Short Hprns ip England, one for, Jerseys, in Canada, one in our American Stages; a,JiI, were wogjerj. One of the reasons for failure is the gatherinjg. pfj ]§.jig^ herds ; there is a tendency to disease. If pu,^ small farijj,s near cities wpuld take hold and establish herds pf six or ten head, tj^ey.. would multiply vastly the v/ealth of the fanpaers and of the cpvfttry ; fpt good cows tljere is always a demand beyond tlie supply ; tjjp ijjia.ijy gg,od ones it would be difficult to produce,' for family cows arealwa,ys wanted ; 64 living in the country is now the custom, and small farms are owned, and all desire fine family cows. Guernseys are admirably adapted to supply this want. Women are best adapted for it ; it must be so, for in the islands the women must be the principal element in bettering them." Vice President Cook, of the New York State Agricultural Soci- ety, hoped there would be a good representation of Guernsey breeders and their fine cattle at the show opening September loth. Joseph Pyle, at Mrs. Wiilets's suggestion, thought it desirable that a number of portraits of fine animals should be gotten up and distributed, to show farmers what the breed is. The publisher of the "Journal" suggested an increased circulation as the readiest means, for each number contained a fine portrait of some most noted animal. Meeting adjourned to meet September loth, at the residence of W. M. Paul, Moorestown, N. J. Subject for discussion : " The Practical Testing of Cows." W. P. HAZARD, Secretary. Minutes of Meeting held Ninth Month i6th, 1885. The Association met on Wednesday, September i6th, 1885, at the home of W. M. Paul, near Moorestown, N. J. The meeting was held upon the ample porch surrounding the spacious mansion, the latter situated on a well-kept lawn, and adjoining an orchard in thrifty condition, attesting the value of the land for fruit raising. The large nurseries of Judge Parry, of Cinnaminson, are not very distant, and the country around is noted for its fruit and garden supplies. The fine and thoroughly well-kept farm of the host was evidence of its value as farming land. After the reading of the minutes, George Abbott, Jr., was elected a member. In addition to Judge Parry and many invited guests, James James, Esq., the noted breeder, and originator of the Herd Book, of Guernsey, was present, and it was too good an op- portunity to be lost to gain Island information about the breed, and, therefore, he was freely questioned. James James kindly gave a report of the Dairymen's Association, of the comparative merits of the Jerseys and Guernseys — one point allowed for each thirty pounds of milk. 6s Mr. Betts asked, •' Is there an increased attention paid to the use of better sires, and especially since the establishment of the Herd Books ?" " The Islanders are very conservative, and for twenty years that I have resided there I have seen steady improvement but not as much as there might be. The Islanders see that they must register, and the demand in England is making them test the milk, and the agricultural shows in England have helped this much by their premiums enabling farmers to send their animals. Another inducement, for the last two years has been under way in England by the establishment of a Herd Book Society, which has now been established, and one volume issued. The farmers do not like to keep bulls, on account of low rates for service ; at the close of the season they are let out as low as 20 sous. I charge los, and many more cows come now than used to. The majority of bulls are sold as veal ; if kept until yearlings and do not prove good, they are made into steers or sent to the butcher. They will send to the best bull for the lowest price. The Royal Herd Book is increasing very much in its number of entries, many are sent to the other book, though so much less care is ex- ercised that almost any animal is entered there." After dinner, the question of the day was taken up and dis- cussed by the host, W. M. Paul, on " the practical testing of cows." " The testing of cows in this country of late has been more of a speculation than of a practical character. It has been a test of the animal's physical powers to see how much forcing and stuffing she would stand without dying, rather than a test showing her relative value as a milk or butter cow. The average farmer cares little about phenomenal records made by high feeding and other questionable means, but the question uppermost with him is : How much will she yield in the common dairy with rational treatment ? and here is where every breed must come finally to be tested and to take her stand and value accordingly, measured by this every-day practical test in the working herd. Itjj^^is claimed that the Channel Island cattle are pre-eminently the butter dairy cattle of the world. That is, they will yield more butter of a superior quality, on a given quan- tity of feed, than any other known breed. Now if this proposition be true, and it can be fully demonstrated by practical tests, then no butter dairymen {can afford to be without either the one or the other of these breeds or their grades. I am satisfied myself that this can be substantiated. I think that most breeders of these cat- tle will indorse the same. What is needed is a series of practical 66 tests showing the average yield of the breed as compared with other breeds under similar treatrrient, and if they can be shown to produce from three to five hundred pounds of rich golden butter per annum, while other breeds yield only one to three hundred pounds of butter of an inferior quality, in the same period of time, then their real value will be established and their worth appre- ciated. "I believe that most of the tests made by the Guei;nsey breeders have been of a fair and practical character, and those who have taken the pains and trouble to make persistent tests have been, no doubt, highly gratified with the results ; on the Island they expect a pound of butter from each good cow for every day in the year, or about four hundred English pounds per annum, which is a very satisfactory average. One breeder in this country who has been foremost in testing, and did much to further the Guern- sey interests, reports ten herd-book animals, six matured cows and four three-year-old heifers, making a maximum yield of eighteen pounds six ounces of marketable butter per week. This is an ex- ceptionally good test and far above the average, but it shows the working power of some of the best animals ; and if breeders were more zealous in testing and careful to breed from only the best, the standard might be elevated to a high plain. The same breeder also reported a milk test for his entire milk- ing herd of twenty-one head, made without forcing any prepara- tory feed, but as a fair average of their every day work as follows ; Fourteen matured cows, and seven two-year-old heifers, average time since calving, five months and five days ; the average of mill^, twenty-three pounds and one ounce ; the matured cows were in milk much longer than the heifers, which, of course reduced the average somewhat ; but on the whole it is a very creditable record, and shows the comparative value of the Guernsey as a milk as well as a butter cow. We want more of these records made in a similar manner. It is high time that the Guernsey breeder wa,s awakening to the importance of that live subject, "practical testing of cows." This was followed by the reading of an article on the same subject by W. P. Hazard. Discussion followed, in vkfhich Mr. Betts and James James participated. Not many tests have been. ma,de in Guernsey, only two by official, authority, and on,e for N\x. Fuller, of Catasauqua. Mr. Betts thinks the scientific testing of the Jersey has about exploded, and has hurt the interests of that breed, for many creditable tests have been refused publication, for fear their 6; herds might be hurt by the issuing of these facts. "If in the past we should have published the tests of the Guernsey," remarked the speaker, " I fear we would have hurt the breed. The Jersey tests that have been published I cannot really put entire credence in, for the methods employed have deprived them of their worth because they have no practical value. The horse brought up to a great speed is different from the value of the tests in the dairy. We are glad the Guernseys have not been tested in this public manner, for to-day the average merit of the Guernseys is really believed in, yet I believe fully in proper testing as suggested by the essayist. We can show a large number of Guernseys in this country that have and can make from sixteen to eighteen pounds, and that is enough to show." S. C. Kent — "I have had three, 'Lilla,' 'Cora,' and a Jersey that have made from fifteen to seventeen pounds of butter. Had a letter from a gentleman in New York State, who bought two cows at one of my former sales of Jerseys. He reports a yield of seven- teen pounds from one, or double what I could get from her as a fair test. The other, a beautiful little animal that we supposed would make four pounds, he says made fifteen pounds. One cow went to Can- ada, through quarantine, and had some mishap, made eleven pounds, and we tried her several times, and she gave thirty-six pounds of milk, and they say she yielded seventeen pounds. 1 don't doubt that these people are misled in some way. If we can get our Guernseys to yield ten to fifteen pounds, we ought to be satisfied. The official test I do not understand. Our herd will average about thirty -two per cent, of cream. A first-class cow will give eighteen quarts, or two pounds of butter ; second-class, four- teen quarts per day, or twelve pounds of butter per week. An extra good Guernsey cow, I stated I thought, would make eighteen pounds; she tested seventeen and one-half on a test." T. M. Harvey said: "Our Guernsey milk is so in demand we don't make much into butter. I used to breed Jerseys, and when they made thirteen to fourteep pounds, it was startling. While tha Jersey breeders were improving, the Guernsey men were standing still. Through James James, the Island people were urged to improve and keep the best at home. I o\yned 'Sea Gull,' she made thirteen pounds on grass, then I added sowed corn and got less. She was one of the early irnportations, and was not noted as a good cow." James James replied to the conservatism of some remarks of Mr. Harvey : " We should in first place look to how she has been 68 reared in her youth ; we can't take a worn out cow ; she must have a strong constitution. Good cows must be brought up on the mother's milk, and not on skim milk ; she may not be quite so wel- looking. I churned whole milk and found I got a great increase ; the residue was churned again, and one-fourth pound was got. It was churned again, and still some butter was obtained. Much whole milk is churned in Guernsey." Mr. James, in answer to a question, replied: "Yes, there are still some inferior udders, though there is some improvement in that respect, because the establishment of the Herd Book here and the more careful selection by English and American breeders is improving the breed very much. In-breeding on the Island is not carried on in extent as formerly, as the Herd Books have corrected a great error, for formerly a man might breed brother to sister, not knowing their line of descent. " There is not much tuberculosis ; it is not often inherited ; it comes on special animals from cold, etc. — not at all carried by con- tagion. Not much abortion there ; a case is an exception. Abortion arises more from some fungus than from any other cause ; never heard any complaints from jt in Guernsey herds in England. "The calves are kept thin because the desire is to sell as much butter as possible, and so they are fed on sour skimmed milk. But I bring mine up on the mother ; I put two on one animal ; I do not have much scours ; if they do, I change them off to another cow, as I would with a healthy calf ; changing may produce it there. Sterility is not common, such cows are called barren ; when they are called 'roarers' and get to bulling every day, we generally send them to the butcher, or feed them off for beef. " The animals that are brought over are very good representa- tives as a class. Some very fine animals can still be had for 120 Pounds. There are some very superior herds in England, because the breeder buys three or four and breeds up with care and to maintain a family likeness. But the Island breeder, breeding for sale, sells often the best and buys from others, and thus family likeness is not much maintained on the Island. Butter, when I left, was about 26 pence, Jersey cheaper, say about 18 pence. Bread and butter are a mainstay with our people, not much meat used with the poorer people. Breeders are im- proving in endeavoring to increase the yields of milk very much now, the stimulus of tests acting favorably ; we must breed now to make high averages in our herds, and do not so much care for the sensational amounts of forty pounds, but we will not give them 69 the stimulating foods reported here. Mr. James thini