INDICATION OF BREEDING.

Shannon News, 5 October 1926, Page 4

INDICATION OF BREEDING.

Just as the eyes of a person reveal his or her character, so do the eyes of our jerseys reveal their “breeding” and character (says the “Jersey Bulletin”). Of course, breeding, in the sense that we usually use it, is not revealed through the eyes, but "breeding” in the sense of character and quality is. Not only is “breeding” revealed in our Jersey’s eyes, but much more. The wise cattle judge looks long and carefully into the eyes of his cattle for from their appearance he is able to divine much. As soon as a cow is off her feed, or out of sorts, or sick, the eyes tell the tale; they lose their brightness and become dull. . And nearly all know that the vicious cow shows this undesirable trait in her eyes.’ So, too, the lazy cow and the one of low vitality. A .cow’s condition and “bloom” is readily apparent from the appearance of the eyes. Listless, slow moving eyes are a sign of low vitality and lack of condition, while bright, 'active eyes reveal full condition and vigour. “The eye of the master fattens the flock,” is a true and well-known platitude; so, too, is it true that the eye of the animal reveals its character and condition. The wise buy,er looks carefully into the eyes of the animals he contemplates purchasing, while the discerning husbandman looks frequently into the .eyes of his charges so that he may learn at the first moment when they arc not in good condition.