RHAGODIA HASTATA, R. BR.

Young plants and cuttings were received and planted out at different times. They have all done well, and a large number of cuttings have since been taken from them and set out. So easily can they be propagated that there is no reason why this species should not be grown in large areas. The smallest cutting will grow, and with little or no trouble. The following illustration shows the growth from a cutting in six months.

KOCHIA APHYLLA, R. BR.-" Cotton Bush."

A few plants of this species were received, but only one grew. This is, however, growing strongly, and will no doubt produce sufficient seed from which to raise a large number of plants. Pastoralists who have had experience with this plant, say that it is one of the very best of saltbushes, and, therefore, I shall endeavour to obtain a large supply of seed and plants.

The general idea seems to be that saltbush will not thrive in any soils except those containing a heavy percentage of salt. But so far the trials at Wagga Wagga prove the opposite, as several of these species have been grown here now for two years, and after three or four cuttings are growing stronger than ever. I shall be very glad if anyone in districts where saltbush is growing, will send me either plants or seeds of any of the species. In exchange I will be pleased to send them seeds of any of the numerous forage plants, &c., that I have growing here.

Arrangements are being made for the Chemist to make comparative analyses of the cultivated and natural saltbushes.-ED. Agric. Gazette.

The Channel Islands Breed of Cattle.

BY J. L. THOMPSON,

Principal, Hawkesbury Agricultural College.

THE ALDERNEY, JERSEY, AND GUERNSEY BREEDS OF CATTLE. THESE cattle are sometimes called Alderneys, sometimes Jerseys or Guernseys. The term Channel Island cattle would be more appropriate than either. Jersey itself is but a small island. If it were square, it would be very little over 6 miles each way, yet this small spot manages to support 15,000 head of cattle, and it exports over 2,000 annually. The principal Channel Islands are Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey, and Sark.

Alderney.

Alderney is a name which is well known to those who are interested in Channel Island stock, but it is greatly misunderstood. Many believe that the greater portion of the cows imported come from Alderney, and under that name sometimes both Jerseys and Guernseys go. On looking at a map of the island, it will be at once seen that Alderney is too small to breed or export many cattle. It is the fourth in size of the Channel Islands, being only 4 square miles in area.

There have been many theories advanced concerning the origin of the Jersey breed. It is contended, however, that originally they were of Norman origin, as cows similar to those on the islands are found in many parts of Normandy. It is agreed that they are of one common origin, bred in great purity in their respective islands for at least 100 years.

Brief History of the Jersey Breed of Cattle.-It is to the efforts of Colonel Le Conteurs that the rise and progress of, and a great improvement in, the breed are mainly due. He was secretary to the meetings in 1833 which led to the establishment of the Jersey Agricultural Society, and he continued. its officer and mainstay for many years. The aim of the society was to improve the native breed by careful selection, and in this way a race of cattle, as good as it is beautiful, has been established. There is little doubt that by the rich soil and genial climate of Jersey, a native breed of cattle, originally of a similar character to those of Brittany and Kerry, has been fostered into a superior excellence, which the pastures of the north-west of France and Ireland could not impart. A feeling of the inhabitants against the French cattle seems to have prevailed for generations. Acts of the States of Jersey were passed in 1763, 1789, 1826, and 1874, prohibiting, under heavy penalties (£200), and confiscation of the cattle. and boat, the introduction of cow, heifer, calf, or bull from France. The number of Alderney cows that existed in the south of England upwards of a century ago is evidence that there was at that time a trade with the island for them. The Act of 1789 states in its preamble that the trade is one of the most profitable branches of the commerce of the island with England, and it was a common saying for an indifferent animal in Jersey, "she was good enough for England." Jersey, or rather Channel Island cattle, were

not very numerously exhibited at the shows in England until about 1871. In that year a final separation was made between the Jerseys and Guernseys. The Jersey is the smaller animal of the two, finer in its limbs, neater in its frame, and more thoroughbred looking in appearance; the horns are thinner and more crumpled, the face thinner and more concave, and more docile and intelligent in appearance. The eye is a bright black, often with a white rim, and the muzzle intensely black, also with a light-coloured rim round it. This is one of the most striking differences between the Jersey and Guernsey, the latter having usually a flesh-coloured or stained nose, and a lightish yellow and white body, being larger of body and stouter of limb. The yield of milk, too, is larger in the Guernsey, yet there is little, if any, difference in the yield of butter, and it is a smaller consumer of food. The milk of the cow is exceedingly rich, and it is said that the milk of one cow would colour the butter from the milk of seven common cows mixed with hers; hence, on butter-making farms a few are generally kept for this purpose, and they are also much prized by noblemen and gentlemen of means as such. High prices have often been realised by Jerseys. Mr. Walter Gilby, in the County of Essex, sold by auction in 1874, fifty head for £3,240, and 255 guineas were given for one cow.

Alderney.-Importations from the Channel Islands in former times were all named " Alderneys." Alderney was the most familiar name, on account of the first animals having been sent to England from that island. English officers were at one time stationed in Alderney, and thus identified all the kindred breeds by that name. Professor Wallace, in his "Farm Live Stock," says, "the Alderney in its genuine form does not now exist." It was darker than the Jersey or Guernsey, the hair being dark-brown or black, and the nose, tongue, and teats black.

Jersey Cattle.

Although the climate of Jersey is a very temperate one, Nature has fitted the Jersey cow to live and do well in all countries on the globe, being equally at home in the Arctic cold of the Canadian winter or the semi-tropical summer of the Southern States of America and of Australia, An impression prevails that the cow of the Channel Islands is unfitted, by its apparently delicate appearance and blood-like breeding, for rough usage. It is important that all breeds of cattle kept for any purpose, should be treated in a humane and kindly way, but under trying conditions, the Jersey will give an abundance of milk and thrive as well as hardier-looking cattle.

There are now some splendid Jerseys in this Colony.

The following were the exhibitors at the show of the Royal Agricultural Society, at Moore Park, in April last, many of them of high individual merit:

J. Blakie, Penrith.

James Hollier, Penrith.

D. Hyam, "Terraia," Shoalhaven.
E. M. Betts, Gladesville.

Dr. J. Hay," Coolangatta."

J. W. Trivena.

W. Fernis.

F. A. Wright, "Lumhilda," Ryde.
Samuel Hordern, Retford Park, Bowral.
W. G. Roots, Penrith.

J. B. McMahon, Burwood Road, Belmore.
M. Hautrive, Halecote, Bringelly.
R. Graham, Vale Road, Bathurst.

At the Royal Agricultural Society's Show, Melbourne, the prize-takers

were:

Lawrence M Laughten, Coburg.

John Voice, Heidelberg.

W. J. Dunstan, Coburg (Silver Queen).

Yeo H. K., Coburg.

S. N. Widemann, Balwyn.

Andrew M'Gregor, St. Kilda.

Peter Cunningham, West Melbourne.
F. Peppin, Epping.

William White, Coburg.

W. Woodmason, Malvern.