THE JERSEY COW.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1741, 5 May 1913, Page 8

THE JERSEY COW.

"OF THE BLOOD ROYAL." "The Jersey cow has no occasion to nlist tho services of an apologist. Hho s.the aristocrat of tho cow tribe. Sho j of tho 'blood royal,' -aud lor generaions'tho greatest caro has been taken 0 guard her against the evil of 'morganaic*. conncctiou." So Bays llr, - Primrose I'Connell, in an articlo on the Jersey, 1 tho Agricultural Department's joural. Continuing, Mr. M'Connell says:— "In her island home two attempts were lade in the early days to improvo the reed by crossing with Ayrshire' and horthorn sires.. Tho results of theso fosses wej'e, however, considered so unesirable that the importations and all icir descendants were slaughtered—the erseymen had no ' room for crosses, ince that time her purity has been pro-' :ctecl by several Acts of Parliament; in ict, the law in this direction is now so ;tict that cattle importations to tho iland are not. allowed except for imme-' iato slaughter.

"In hor native home tho Jersey cow is treated more as a member of tho human family than as an ordinary chattel, and she is undoubtedly a lovable and attractive animal. No true dairyman, can do other thau admire her, oven if he is convinced in his own mind that she is not tho best cow. for his purpose. , "Weight for weight, ami taking tho averago of whole herds, she will produco more butter-fat than any other known breed. Sho is also more hardy than sho gets credit for;-as a matter of lact,- I havo seen young acclimatised Jerseys wintered out among tho snow on tlio south-west coast ol Scotland. 1 havo alio taken particular caro lo noto tho results of severe weather ou tho two breeds at this station (Kuakura), and I find that the Jersey is as little affected by tho bad weather as the Shorthorn— and tho winters hero arc trying enough. Sho is naturally of good constitution, and tftberculosis is unknown on tho Island of Jersey. In my opinion, any tendency lo delicacy of constitution of individual Jerseys has arisen through too much attention being paid to purely show points, and I think we would do well to encourage a little more of the big-framed roomy cow of undoubted constitution. As showing the great care that is taken by the Jerseymcn to keep their herd-book beyond suspicion, I cannot do better than quote from au articlo by Ernest Matthews, M.A., author of 'Economics in Dairyfanning'; 'Before any animal can be admitted into the herd-book and given a, number in either section it must be passed. by tho herd-book judges. These examinations take place at different times of the year and in various parts of the island. Five or six judges are usually present, but only three are in the ring at otto time. If a judgo knows .any of the animals, he steps out of the ring, when his place is taken by another. Two qualifications are given—"Commended" and "Highly coin mended "—and animals failing to get either of tlieso commenda* tions aro rejected. No female is examined until sho has had a calf, and all bulls must be shown with their diiins, Calves are registered when they aro born, and the certificate of .registration decides which section of the herd-book they are eligible for when they come uy for examination.' Ml'. Matthews also states, 'I have been present at tho herdbook examinations in Jersey, and thereby .testily to the fact that no animal with .i bail udder, teats, etc., could-get a number allotted lo her, however good sho may bo in other directions.'

"It may Ijo truly said of Ihe Jersey that, although naturally timid, under gentle treatment she become* exceedingly docile. Uke most breeds of farm stock, tho Jersey may be seen to greatest perfection in hoi* native country, and this is 110 iloubt clue topological as well as geographical conditions. "'L'he unceasing care that has been takcuMn the development of the dairy qualities of the Jersey has undoubtedly brought her well to the front as a dairy cow, but if the breeders of this valuable animal wish her to retain her present popularity they must get away from the overline show type, and develop something built on stronger lines. There is not much chance of the 'battle of the breeds' being decided yet. One man pin* ilis i'aitli to one breed and another to another breed, and as long as the breeds are kept pure nut much harm is done; but the dairyman's trouble begins with the crossing of pure breeds, and although lie may, be able to rejoice over a few good animals as a result of the first cross, lie !hns nothing certain to work upon, and the end is invariably disappointment. AVe have plenty of material to Jvork upon among the various dairy breeds we .now possess without: attempting to form new breeds. As far as can be seen, the dairy industry will always be one of New Zealand's greatest mainstays, but possibly the licet' riueslion will have to receive serious consideration iu Ihe near future; and as to whether this (|uestian will affect, the future of the Jersey and other light bleeds is a mattor of opiuion,"-