THE JERSEY COW.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 7

THE JERSEY COW.

JUDGING ON TYPE. DEMONSTRATION AT LEPPERTON. A field day and demonstration, arranged by the New Plymouth Jersey Breeders’ Club, took place yesterday on the property of Mr. H. Lepper, at Lepperton, qnd the demonstrator was Mr. H. E. Watson, who has been appointed to that capacity by the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association. He has been a successful judge of Jersey stock throughout the Dominion. Hie remarks were very lucid, throughout and were attentively listened to by the large gathering. The attendance included a number of scholars from the Boys-’ High School, New Plymouth, and the Lepperton School. A review of the points of Jersey type was given by Mr. Watson, the lecturer selecting a cow from Mr. Lepper’s herd, “Elf’s Beaqty,” for the purpose..-- After emphasising the fact that an animal must have constitution, especially if required for dairy purposes, Mr. Watson said the points to look for were well distended nostrils (shoeing that the cow could take plenty of air into the lungs), and l a well sprung front rib, with depth from the top of the shoulder to the floor of the chest, which would indicate ample respiratory space. At the head they should look for a broad strong jaw, dished forehead and placid eye. Good length from the shoulder to the hip, and a round, well-spread rib, would indicate good capacity. Digestion was important, and to tell if a cow was strong in this respect the skin should be mellow, soft, and pliable. There should be no surplus flesh on the shoulder blades of a dairy cow, and the vertebrae should be prominent right along the back, and well serrated. Mammary development was an important part. The udder should be wellattached and of fine texture, and the milk veins should be prominent, with large milk wells at the end.

At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Watson answered a number of questions, indicating that keen interest had been taken in his remarks by those present. In answer to one query, Mr. Watson said he did not think the escutcheon was of any great importance in judging a cow.

A class was held for aspiring judges, entrants being given the task of selecting the first three animals out of six placed in the ring. Six competitors came forward, each being allowed a quarter of an hour for judging, and at the conclusion Mr. Watson placed the animals according to his opinion. It was interesting to note the verdicts given by the competitors, and when the demonstrator gave his decision it was found that not one of the entrants had placed the animals in the order arranged by Mr. Watson. The three who came nearest to the official decision were Messrs. J. S. Jones, D. O’Sullivan, and H. Salway. A judging competition among school pupils was also held, the winner being R. Brewster, New *Plymouth Boys’ High School.

In addition to animals from Mr. Lepper’s herd, stock were lent for demonstration purposes by Messrs. Cornwall, Clarke, Heary, Petersen, Gilbert, and Clark. At the conclusion of the demonstration Mr. C. H. Weston proposed a hearty vote of*thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lepper fol placing not only their pedigree Jerseys at the disposal of the club for the demonstration, but also their beautiful grounds, and for providing lunch and tea. Great praise was due to Mrs. Lepper and her helpers for the thorough ipannei in which they had catered for all. Mr. Lepper suitably responded on behalf of the ladies. He moved a vote of thanks to Mr. H. E. B. Watson for his masterful, instructive, and entertaining lecture and demonstration. Speaking in support of the vote, Mr. N. Fulton said he felt he was voicing the feelings of the majority present when he declared he had learned more of the Jersey type and the dairy type on this occasion than he had learned in all the years he had attended agricultural shows. He eulogised Mr. Watson for the lucid and comprehensive lecture and demonstration. He said, in view of the fact that similar judging demonstrations were being given all over the Dominion, it wg_s bound to make for more uniform judging, and would minimise the adverse ringside criticism, so often met with at the shows.