A Guernsey Test

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 409, 9 October 1889, Page 3

A Guernsey Test

The Guernsey is for some reason nob nearly so popular or well-known as the other Channel Island breed, the Jersey. In this colony Channel Island cattle (nearly, if nob all, Jerseys more or less pure) are always* classed as Alderneys, which so far as we know is not the name of any recognised specific breed. We have frequently drawn attention to the special merits of the Guernsey cattle as dairy animals, and we now give a"n account of an official test of the cow Pretty Dairy Maid, which won first prize in the cow class, and the champion cup for the best female at the recent Royal Show at Windsor. She also won the second prize in the Royal Guernsey Show in 1888, and first prize in 1889. She calved May 31st a bullcalf by Rydale, the Windsor gold medallist. Lp, Balhac/e, in reporting the test, says :—: — "We give below the yield of the cow Pretty Dairy Maid during the three days. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 17bh, 18th, and 19th June. As a proof of the splendid milking capacities of this animal, it may be mentioned that the result was obtained without any special feeding or particular care. On the contrary, before the competition at the Windsor Great Show the greatest caution had to be observed. Notwithstanding every attention, this cow, during part of the time, was not quite well, the weather having an effect upon her nervous temperament." Cow, Prettr Dairy Maid No. 1,469 ; first prize (Ozanne Prize), 839. Property of Mr D. O. Patourel, Less Qnartiers :—: —

Monday.—Weather favourable. Tuesday.—Weather unfavourable. Strong eas' wind. . , Wednesday.—Thunder stornis and heavy ' rains. Cow, with the exception of a very short interral. kept in stable all day. This, coupled ■with extreme laxity of the bowels, will account for the considerably less quantity of milic yielded. I hereby certify that the above statement is correct.'and that the test has been carried out entirely in my presence. R. H. Payne, Treasurer, R. G. A. and H. S. The milk of the last two days was churned, and yielded 51b of butter, being at the rate of 7£lb per week.

There may be too much of a good thing —of salt in the soup, for instance.

Sunday, June 16, 10 p. m,, milked dry lb. oz. londay. June 17, 5 a.m 18 1 11 a.m 15 10J 4 p.m 12 14 10 p.m 14 3i 61 2 n uesday, June 18, 5 a.m 19 4 " „ „ 11 a.m 15 9} 4 p.m 12 2 10 p.m 15 12* 62 0 Wednesday, June 19, 5 a.m 15 11 „ 11 a.m 12 0 4 p.m 10 1 '', „ 10 p.m 14 6