FAMOUS JERSEY HERD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1921, Page 7

FAMOUS JERSEY HERD.

A PROUD RECORD AT ENGLISH SHOW. INTERVIEW WITH THE LADY OWNER. There is visiting New Zealand at pre,sent one of England’s most noted Jersey breeders. This visitor, most people will \be surprised to hear, is a lady, and the success which has attended her efforts ,-as a breeder over a long period might well be envied by any man. A Dominion reporter the other day had the pripilege of a chat with the lady in question, Mrs. Evelyn, of Wotton House. “I only arrived the day before yesterday, and, therefore, have not as yet had the opportunity of seeing any of the Jersey herds in New Zealand,” Mrs. Evfelyn replied to the pressman’s request for her opinion on breeding methods in the Dominion. “However, I am looking forward keenly to seeing what has been done in this country, and I expect to learn much. I am sorry I have missed some of your leading cattle shows', but 1 shall remain in the Dominion until January next, and during that time I hope to see most of the leading Jersey herds.” ‘•How did yon come to take up Jersey breeding?’ asked the pressman. “Oh, I have been, interested in -stock breeding practically all my life,” replied the visitor. “My mother was a noted breeder of horses, especially polo ponies, so I practically inherited an interest in stock breeding. I have been breeding Jersey cattle now for seventeen years, arftl during the last twelve years I have taken the matter up very keenly."’ “What is the area of your estate?” was another question asked. “I have about 300 acres,” replied Mrs. Evelyn, “and a herd of 85 purebred Jerseys, which are considered about as good as anything to be found in England. By careful examination, I have got them all of a uniform type, and they do me the honor in England of saying that I am the only breeder who has succeeded in combining beauty with utility.” “What particular methods have you followed?” questioned the reporter. “I have made it.,, a point,” replied Mrs. Evelyn, “to always have a bull from a gold medal cow, or one who would have been eligible for a gold medal had she been shown. I have used mostly Mr. Smith Barry’s bulls, but I am now using a bull bred by Mr. Badgett, of Bristol, Henbury Moonlight, out of Bristol, Henbury Moonlight, out of of Henbury Gloaming, whose milk record was six gallons and 6 per cent, of but-tef-fat. 1 am also using a son of Dairymaid, by Red Cloud.

“My herd,” proceeded Mrs. Evelyn, “since 1910 has won over 300 prizes and awards, including butter tests, gold, silver, and bronze medals, and Blythwood bowls. This is not a bad record, especially when it is remembered that five o-f these were war years, when we did not show. Fourteen cows and heifers in the herd averaged 74071 b of milk in the milk-recording year from October 1, 1919, to October 1, 1920, and the Boaru of Agriculture’s figures show that last year the whole herd averaged 750 gallons.” Mrs. Evelyn is the proud owner of the World-renowned Dairymaid, who has won eight championships, twelve first prizes, and five Blythwood bowls. Dairymaid has twice been placed champion at the Royal Show, and has never been beaten. In fact, there is no cow like her in England; or, perhaps, in the world.

Another renowned member of the Wotton House Jersey herd is Vervain’s Bell 111. who, from December 6, 1919, to November 10, 1920, gave 11,5291 b of ihilk, while her yield from January 13, 1921, to September 4, 1921, was 10,1791 b. She scored heavily at Bath this year, securing second award in the open class, second for English-bred, and second in the milking trials, and a certificate cf merit in the butter test. Vervain’s Bell also holds the record of giving 11,0021 b of milk in 295 days, the butter-fat percentage being 5.35.

“You have some of my stock in your country,"’ said the English lady breeder. “Wotton’s Sand Daisy, who gained first award at the Royal Show, was purchased by Mr. Lancaster, of Palmerston North, last year, and the same gentleman also took a yearling bull bred by me. This year Mr. Lancaster has purchased two heifers from my herd, one being a granddaughter of Dairymaid, while the other one, Wotton Plush, has taken five first prizes and a number of seconds. Wotton’s Margaret scored first at the Dairy- Show in 1910 for milk, and won seven first prizes last year.” “What did you think of the Jersey cattle you saw* in Australia?” asked the reporter. "I spent a week in Australia,” replied Mrs. Evelyn, “and saw r several herds. Some of them were very good, but one herd J saw was the smallest I have ever seen anywhere. The cattle over there were smaller than ours, and they appeared to take longer to deepen out and mature than English cattle.” Mrs. Evelyn added that she had this year strengthened her herd by purchasing Fairlawne Hussy from Mr. Cazalet, o f° Kent, who is dispersing his wellknown herd. This cow, when she was only three years and nine months old, yielded 3lb lsoz. of butter from 4510 4oz. of milk in one day, 92 days after calving. . , “They did me the honor to appoint me a judge at the Suffolk Show this year,” added the English Jersey breeder In answer to a query as to the object of her visit to New Zealand, Mrs. Evelyn replied that she had really come out for health reasons, her medical adviser having recommended a long sea voyage for heart trouble. Mrs. Evelyn is representing the English Jersey Cattle Society, and is looking forward with great keeness to meeD ing New Zealand breeders, from whom she expects to learn a great deal.”