Examination of Colonel James Young’s Herd, at Middletown.
The Commission visited the large farms of Colonel James Young, near
Middletown, and examined thirty-seven head of cows and heifers, among
which were some of the finest Jersey cows in the State. His whole stock
is well-fed and cared for, and are in fine condition. He supplies
Middletown with the best of milk. Colonel Young does not keep a record
of the performances of his cows, and the commission were therefore
obliged to examine the cows, and after making their record, to compare
it, item by item of each cow separately, with the knowledge of them had
by his very intelligent dairy-woman, who has charge of the cows and the
milk, and knows their characters as milk and butter producers well; also
has a record of the times of calving of all the cows. The estimates of
the commission agreed with hers, on all the hundred and eleven points,
except nine points, and where they differed, that difference was in two
cases on the quality, and in the other cases on the time. The commission
attribute their unanimity on this herd, to the careful selection and
breeding of Colonel Young, to his good feeding, and the excellent care
that the animals have. These points constantly looked after, maintain the
excellence of the herd, and as a consequence the escutcheons correspond,
for, as the colonel says, “he never saw a good escutcheon without being
on a good animal, and never saw a good animal without a good escutcheon.”
MIDDLETOWN, _November 1, 1878_.
“We were present when the commission visited our farms, and
examined the stock, and we think they judged rightly of it, in
nearly every case—we should say within five per cent. of being
entirely correct.
We have examined the account to be printed with the original
record, and find it to be correct and corresponding.
JAMES YOUNG,
JAMES S. YOUNG.”
Examination of the Herd of William Calder, Esq., Harrisburg.
The commission visited one of the farms of William Calder, near
Harrisburg. This gentleman has seven farms, containing nine hundred
acres, and keeps a variety of stock. On the farm visited, near the
reservoir, the commission examined eight head of grade stock, in very
good order, on good September pasturage. The dairyman, a very intelligent
man, had no record of the exact quantity and quality of the stock, but,
as he milked them himself, a knowledge of their general qualities; and
upon hearing the decision of the commission upon each cow, assented to
the character given of all of them, except on two points: on one as to
yield, and on another as to time. It was pleasing to notice the surprise
and delight expressed by him at the exhibition, of entire strangers to
the herd, of such accurate knowledge of them as the system showed it
could give. And he determined to acquire it forthwith.
The commission saw a very fine black grade cow, with the calf by her side
a perfect specimen of the Belted stock, though sired by a thorough-bred
Jersey bull—to be accounted for only by the fact that the cow had been
served by a Belted bull the third time before this one.
Examination of Several Herds near West Grove, Blanketed and Unblanketed,
under the Supervision of a Committee of the Experimental Farm Club.
It had been stated by some that the commission used the ordinary means of
judging of the value of cows, in addition to the Guenon tests. This was,
of course, entirely denied by the commission; and as it was repeated in
the public print, the commission, to settle the matter in the minds of
candid men, offered to have any number of cows blanketed, so that only
their posteriors could be seen, and then judge of their escutcheons,
provided a committee should be present at the examination, view it
closely, and give a report. Thus pressed, the challenge was accepted, and
there was appointed a committee of five of some of the best farmers and
dairymen residing near the Experimental farm. It was also understood that
any could attend who wished to, and on the day of the examination three
of the committee were present, as well as a number of other farmers. The
commission examined the first five in the stable, blanketed, then two
unblanketed, then two blanketed, and the remaining four unblanketed. The
report of this committee is appended herewith. The cows were examined on
a farm of Thomas Gawthrop, near West Grove. Afterward a number of cows
were examined on several farms in the neighborhood, in the presence of
the committee. No longer time was required to form an opinion on the
blanketed cows than on the others, and the comparative results can be
judged from the accompanying tables.
The commission met them on the day appointed, at the farm of Thomas
Gawthrop, and in the presence of the committee (three being present,) and
of others, examined seven cows blanketed, and would have examined more,
but the committee said it was useless, as they could see, and had full
faith that only the escutcheon was considered by the commission. On this
farm thirteen head were examined, and the results are herewith given. All
then adjourned to the farms of Mark Hughes, Howard Preston, and Everard
Conard, and examined other stock in the presence of the committee. The
committee’s report will be found annexed, thus setting to rest the charge
that the commission were examining by any other than the Guenon test.
THOMAS GAWTHROP’S ACCOUNT OF COWS|THE GUENON COMMISSION’S ACCOUNT OF
EXAMINED AT THOMAS GAWTHROP’S | COWS EXAMINED AT THOMAS GAWTHROP’S
FARM, SEPTEMBER 20. | FARM, SEPTEMBER 20.
|
_No. 1._—VICTORIA.—Grade, Jersey |_No. 1._—VICTORIA.*—Grade, Jersey and
and Durham. | Durham. Eight years.
Quantity, first. | Quantity, first.
Quality, first. | Quality, first.
A first-class butter cow, and | Up to her time.
milks well up to time. |
|
_No. 2._—CECIL.—Grade, Jersey. |_No. 2._—CECIL.*
Quantity, first. | Quantity, first.
Quality, first. First-class | Quality, first.
for butter. |
Milks up to time. | Short eight weeks.
|
_No. 3._—NELLIE. |_No. 3._—NELLIE.*—Demijohn, 1.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, first.
Dry from ten to twelve weeks. | Short eight weeks.
|
_No. 4._—LUCY.—Recently |_No. 4._—LUCY.*—Flanders, 2d.
purchased. |
Yields three months from | Quantity, second.
calving thirteen quarts. |
Quality, first. | Quality, first.
| Up to her time.
|
_No. 5._—LILY.—Grade, Jersey. |_No. 5._—LILY.*—Grade, Jersey.
| Flanders, 2d.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, first. | Quality, first.
Milks up to time. | Dry four to six weeks.
|
_No. 6._—BEAUTY.—Jersey. |_No. 6._—BEAUTY.—Jersey. Five years
| old.
Yields fourteen quarts per day.| Quantity, third.
Quality, first. | Quality, second.
Milks to within eight weeks of | Dry two months.
calving. |
|
_No. 7._—DARBY.—Jersey. |_No. 7._—DARBY.—Jersey. Flanders, 2d.
Quantity, fourteen quarts per | Quantity, second.
day. |
Quality, first. | Quality, first.
Almost impossible to turn dry, | Dry four weeks.
though never excelling in |
quantity. |
|
_No. 8._—STAR.—Grade, three |_No. 8._—STAR.†—Grade, three quarter
quarter Jersey. | Jersey. Flanders, 3d.
Yield with first calf from | Quantity, second.
twelve to fourteen quarts |
per day, and milks well up |
to time. |
Quality, first class. | Quality, first.
| Dry six weeks.
| Her Jersey blood helps to overcome
| some blemishes on her escutcheon.
|
_No. 9._—NORAH. |_No. 9._—NORAH.†—Grade.
Quantity, first, | Quantity, first.
Quality, first. | Quality, first.
Dry from eight to ten weeks. | Up to her time.
|
_No. 10._—SALLIE.‡ |_No. 10._—SALLIE.—Grade. Twelve years.
| Flanders, 2d.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, 2d.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Goes dry eight weeks. | Up to her time.
|
_No. 11._—DIDO.‡—Grade. |_No. 11._—DIDO.—Grade. Left Flanders.
Quantity, twenty quarts. | Quantity, first.
Second in quality. | Quality, second.
Dry from eight to twelve weeks.| Dry three months.
|
_No. 12_.—MOLLY.‡ |_No. 12._—MOLLY. Imperfect Flanders.
Yields about sixteen quarts | Quantity, second.
per day. |
Second-class quality. | Quality, second.
Dry from eight to twelve weeks.| Dry ten weeks.
|
_No. 13._ WHITEFACE‡ |_No. 13._—WHITEFACE.—Grade. Curveline,
| 3d.
Second-class in quantity, | Quantity, third.
fifteen quarts per day. |
Second quality. | Quality, second.
Dry about ten weeks. | Dry ten weeks.
* These five cows were so blanketed, as to show only the escutcheon.
† These cows were also blanketed.
‡ The last four animals were not blanketed, but were driven up and
examined by the commission without any apparent reference to any marks,
except the escutcheon. T. G.
MARK HUGHES’ ACCOUNT OF HIS COWS,|COMMISSION’S ACCOUNT OF MARK
SEPTEMBER 20. | HUGHES’ COWS.
|
_No. 1._—LACTE. |_No. 1._—LACTE.—Jersey thorough-bred.
| Flanders, second.
Do not know the quantity of | Quantity and quality, first rate.
milk and butter per week, but|
gives very rich milk, and |
milks up to calving. | Milks close to calving.
|
_No. 2._ LAURA. |_No. 2._—LAURA.—Jersey thorough-bred.
| Demijohn, 1st.
Quantity, twenty-four quarts | Quantity, first rate.
milk per day. |
Quality, sixteen pounds butter | Quality, first class.
per week. |
Has never been dry; begins to | Milks up to calving.
increase in milk about three |
weeks before calving, and |
cannot be turned dry. |
|
_No. 3._—TOPSY. |_No. 3._—TOPSY.—Grade, Jersey. Ten
| years. Curveline, 1st.
Quantity, twenty quarts milk | Quantity and quality, first rate.
per day. |
Quality, makes thirteen pounds |
butter per week. |
Will milk up to calving. | Milks up to calving.
HOWARD PRESTON’S ACCOUNT OF HIS |GUENON COMMISSION’S ACCOUNT OF
COWS. | HOWARD PRESTON’S COWS, SEPTEMBER 20.
|
_No. 1._—Grade Durham. |_No. 1._—Flanders, 2d.—Grade Durham.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Milks up to her time. | Up to time.
|
_No. 2._—Grade Durham. |_No. 2._—Left Flanders.—Grade Durham.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry ten weeks. | Dry two months.
|
_No. 3._—Common stock. |_No. 3._—Grade stock.—Imperfect
| Flanders.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, third.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry eight to ten weeks. | Dry eight weeks.
|
_No. 4._—Grade Durham. |_No. 4._—Grade Durham.—Selvage, 2d.
Quantity, third, | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry ten weeks. | Dry ten weeks.
|
_No. 5._—Common stock. |_No. 5._—Native stock.—Flanders, 3d.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, third.
Dry three months. | Dry three months.
|
_No. 6._—Grade Durham. |_No. 6._—Grade Durham.—Flanders, 3d.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, third.
Quality, second. | Quality, third.
Dry eight weeks. | Dry six to eight weeks.
|
_No. 7._—Grade Durham. |_No. 7._—Grade Durham.—Bicorn, 3d.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, third.
Quality, third. | Quality, third.
Dry ten weeks. | Dry six to eight weeks.
|
_No. 8._—NELLY.—Grade Jersey. |_No. 8._—NELLY.—Grade Jersey.—Flandrine
| a Gauche.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry eight weeks. | Time, eight weeks.
|
_No. 9._—JESSIE.—Grade Jersey. |_No. 9._—JESSIE.—Grade Jersey.—Selvage.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, first.
Milks up to time. | Up to time.
|
_No. 10._—POLLY.—Grade Jersey. |_No. 10._—POLLY.—Grade
| Jersey.—Flanders, 2d.
Quantity, first. | Quantity, second.
Quality, first. | Quality, second.
Milks up to her time. | Up to time.
|
_No. 11._—LILY.—Common stock. |_No. 11._—LILY.—Native stock.—Flanders,
| 2d.
Quantity, first. | Quantity, first.
Quality, first. | Quality, first.
Dry eight weeks. | Dry four to six weeks.
_No. 12._—BLUSH.—Grade Jersey |_No. 12._—BLUSH.—Grade Jersey.
| Curveline, 2d.
Quantity, first. | Quantity, second.
Quality, first. | Quantity, second.
Dry six weeks. | Dry six weeks.
|
_No. 13._—TOPSY.—Grade Jersey. |_No. 13._—TOPSY.—Imperfect
| Curveline.—Grade Jersey.
Quantity, second. | Quantity, third.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry three months. | Dry three months.
|
_No. 14._—BONNIE.—Common stock. |_No. 14._—BONNIE.—Flanders, 1st.—Native
| stock.
Quantity, first. | Quantity, first.
Quality, first. | Quality, second.
Milks up to her time. | Up to her time.
|
_No. 15._—DAISY.—Common stock |_No. 15._—DAISY.—Flanders, 3d.—Native
| stock.
Quantity, third. | Quantity, third.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry three months or more. | Dry six weeks.
|
_No. 16._—KATIE.—Common stock. |_No. 16._—KATIE.—Flanders, 2d.—Native
| stock.
Quantity, third. | Quantity, second.
Quality, second. | Quality, second.
Dry six weeks. | Dry four to six weeks.
JOSEPH PYLE’S STATEMENT OF HIS |GUENON COMMISSION’S ACCOUNT OF
COWS: | JOSEPH PYLE’S COWS:
|
_No. 1._—FAWN. |_No. 1._—RED GRADE COW—8
| years.—Flanders, 2.
Quantity, 10 to 15 quarts. | Quantity, 14 or 15 quarts.
Quality, very rich milk. | Quality, second.
Dry from four to six weeks. | Dry about ten weeks.
|
_No. 2._—FANCY. |_No. 2._—FANCY.—Guernsey. Flanders, 3.
Quantity, 16 to 18 quarts. | Quantity, 18 quarts when fresh, and
| will begin to reduce and stop
| two months short of her time.
Quality, milk very good | Quality, first.
quality. |
Falls off sooner than most | Will go two months dry.
cows, and will go dry eight |
weeks. |
This cow had been previously examined, May 11, at Thos. M. Harvey’s farm.
Mr. Harvey had since sold her to Mr. Pyle. The following are the two
statements at that time:
T. M. HARVEY: |GUENON COMMISSION:
|
Quality, medium. | Quality, medium.
Quantity, 16 quarts and fails | Quantity, poor.
fast. |
Dry three months. | Dry two months.