FRIESIAN CATTLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1922, Page 8

FRIESIAN CATTLE.

DEMONSTRATION AT CARDIFF, SOME INTERESTING FACTS, A Friesian cattle demonstration, under the auspices of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association, was given at Messrs. Marchant’s farm at Cardiff yesterday by Mr. Geo. Aitchison, honorary official demonstrator to the New Zealand Association. There was a good gathering of supporters of the Friesian breed, and also of devotees to other classes of cattle, and Mr. Aitehison’s demonstration was attentively followed. Mr. Aitchison was introduced to the gathering by Mr. C. A. Marchant, who, in the course of a brief welcome, prophesied a bright future for the Friesian breed. Mr. Aitchison said other classes of cattle might be all. very well, but if they wanted to get into a record breaking line they would have to go in for Friesiaus. Commencing with Mr. Marchant’s cow Pontiac Princess, which has a record of 8311bs. of butter-fat in 465 days, Mr. Aitchison pointed out the characteristics that should be looked for in the dairy cow. He said a broad forehead donated a large brain. , The nose should be straight, not Roman, and the muzzle broad. The horns should be thick and tapering towards the points, this being a sign of constitution. The ear should be round and not too large, and the eye bright, full and mild. The neck should, be long and thin, with little dewlap, and well set on the shoulders. The chest should be moderately deep, but not heavy like that of a beef cow, the ribs well sprung, and the barrel long. The flank should be deep, but not fleshy, and. the hindquarters long. The longer the hindquarters the longer the udder, a long udder being an essential. The hindquarters should also be long, allowing plenty of udder room. The udder was the most important thing, and should be hung well up, with the skin loose and pliable and showing plenty of mammary veins. The switch should be white, and preferably the legs also. It did not matter how white a Friesian cow was, or how black, so long as she was spotted. The skin must be soft, fine and pliable, and the hair silky. If the hair stood on end it could be taken as an indication that the cow was out of order. The four essentials about a cow were capacity, dairy temperament, constitution, and blood circulation. At the conclusion of the demonstration, Mr. Aitchison judged a number of cows* on type and placed Mr. T. H. Richards’ Knownot Pride first. A demonstration was also given with Mr. Marchant’s bull Coldstream Pontiac Paul, and this over the gathering adjourned. for afternoon tea, provided by the ladies cf the district. Before the assemblage dispersed, Mr. C. A. Marchant proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Aitchison for his able demonstration, and this was carried with cheers. Mr. Geo. Sangster, president of the Stratford A. and P. Association, referred to semi-official herd testing, which he said was very useful, but he believed such demonstrations as that given by Mr. t Aitchison were going to take the lead. Mr. Sangster thanked Messrs. Marchant and Richards for the use of their cattle for the demonstration, and the ladies for the afternoon tea. The ladies were given a hearty cheer.