FIELD DEMONSTRATION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 586, 23 November 1920, Page 2

FIELD DEMONSTRATION.

THE JERSEY COW.

An event whicn attracted consider able interest as far as Jersey cattle bleeders were concerned took place on the Franklin A. and P. Associa tion's showgrounds on Saturday lasi under the auspices of the Norti Auckland Branch of the New Zealanc Jersey Breeders' Association, in the form of a field demonstration anc judging competition. Practically the whole of the Jersey breeders of Pukekohe were present, the attendance being estimated at about 200, whici was considered a record for an event ol" its kind. $

On behalf of the association, the president, Mr. R. F. Wilkinson, ex tended a hearty welcome to all. Hi. was pleased indeed to see such ; large crowd, especially the large 'at tendance of ladies, which augurec well, not only for the future succep; of demonstrations, but of the dain , ing industry generally. One of tin objects of the association' was to assist the dairy farmer in every possible way, whether he was a membei of the society or not. Any informs tion that could be furnished througl the channels of the association woule be readily given at all times. Mr Wilkinson said they were passing through a new era in the history ol .the world. He considered the present an age of specialisation. Every mai or woman, no matter what their voca-' tion in life may be, must specialise. Every successful man, whether an agriculturist or a business man, was a specialist in his own profession. Owing to the high cost of land today, and the actual expense incurred iin "milking a cow for the seasonthe expense for which was £2O oi over—therefore it was easily recognisable that a cow giving less than 3001b. of butterfat was not a payable proposition. The object of the field day was to demonstrate the important and essential points of a dairy cow. The association was fortunate in this respect in securing the services of Mr. H. E. B. Watson, oi Christchurch, who was so well and favourably known, and possibly the leading breeder and judge of Jersey cattle" in New Zealand. So highly were Mr. Watson's qualifications recognised by the Jersey Breeders Council that he had been appointeeofficial demonstrator for the Dominion. One of the reasons of the association in getting Mr. Watson to visifr Pukekohe was to get farmers to take a keener interest in the dairy cow, so that in future the cow would not only be better in production, but of a more improved type. Mr. Wilkinson then introduced Mr. Watson. Mr. Watson thanked the Jersey Breeders' Association for inviting him to demonstrate on the Jersey cow. He did not wish them to think he was an authority on the Jersey. He was only there to give his opinion as \ to the ideals of a dairy cow. One of Mr. Len. Roose's highly-bred cows was sorted out for the purposes of demonstration. Commencing at i the beast's head the demonstrator went«.over the cow, pointing out and ■ explaning the necessary qualification? and conformation, which multiplied | gave a typical dairy cow. The cow before him,* he said, was a splendid type of cow, and compared favourably with that great show cow, Fox's Patch, although she another great show coW, Sea Queen, very much. Relating his experiences, , Mr. Watson said he found that the ; main fault with the Jerseys in New Zealand was that they were faulty in milk vessel. At the conclusion Mr. Wilkinson thanked Mr. Watson feu- his lucid and interesting address. Mr. Watson, in response, said he was there to give- an opinion on the Jersey. *They were, out to assist and forward the Jersey breeders of New Zealand.

The results of the judging competition are not available for publication in this issue. i .