Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1869 [PAGE 294]

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280 across of the Ayershire on native stock. The Jersey or Alderney cattle are celebrated for their milding qualities. There is a little variation in some of these cattle. Their color is more varied than that of the Ayershire. They have also more bone. The Jersey cattle are brown and white, sometimes almost black and white, others nearly all brown. Frequently they are red and white, and nearly always fawn-colored around the nose, eyes and legs. The milk produces the largest quantity of cream and butter. The Hereford shires give more milk, but not so rich in cream and butter, but equally rich in every other respect. When the milk of the Alderney cow is skimmed it is very poor. The milk of the Alderney is nearly all cream. Another breed is the Holstein. There is no doubt the Holstein is valuable for milk. The color is black and white, distinctly marked, sometimes large spots of white and black. We speak of color, and especially in the milking breeds consider it of some importance. There is one other breed that we will mention, that is the Galloway, or no-horned cattle. They are a hardy, healthy cattle, and make good beef. Perhaps I have occupied sufficient time in this way, and I will now give way to others who may wish to talk or ask questions. Mr. COBB was called for. He said: I have not much experience with cattle. I can give yon a few facts in regard to the breeding of cattle in a limited way. About the year 1862, I turned my attention to farming, and commenced with the means I had, on the plan of a mixed husbandry farm. I started with a few cattle and a little of everything. My first idea was to have good things of the kind, if it was but little. Being a new comer, my motions were observed by the neighbors, who said " there is Cobb, who is buying new things; he will soon lose momey." My reply was, " I have but little to lose, and I will run the risk," and so started out with the view of having good things. I went among the farmers and bought the best cows for from $25 to $35. I got a herd of twenty cows, and then I went down into Kentucky and bought a bull for $400. That was carrying out the idea of my neighbors, that " a fool and his money are soon parted." The result is, so far as the cattle are concerned, I have a very fine herd of cattle after the space of seven years.