Northland Girl Authority On Jerseys

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1939, Page 2

Northland Girl Authority On Jerseys

CfTico work in a town is not nearly so attractive to Miss R. C. Johnson, of Kiripaka, as caring for and studying a pedigree herd. Although only in her early twenties, Miss Johnson has become recognised as an authority on Jerseys.

Yesterday she became the first lady in Northland, and probably the first in New Zealand, to give a demonstration on the breed.

II was at a combined field day promoled by the Rodney Jersey Club.

and the- five local pic. clubs, and hold on the farm of Mr P. C, Gubb. Port Albert. The- president of the Rodney Jersey Club (.Mr R. Ellis) said that: the gathing nt over 200 was probably a record 0110 of its kind for the district. Able Demonstration. Betraying no signs of self-con-sciousness, Miss Johnson demonstrated the points of the Jersey breed in a very able manner, appraising various cows and bulls from Mr Gubb’s pedigree stud.

Sne prefaced her remarks by saying that they were made in support of her own ideas on the Jersey breed. Put her listeners could only conclude, after hearing her exposition, that she agreed largely with acknowledged experts’. Generally a demonstrator describes his points and leaves it at that, but Miss Johnson explained why the various points were desirable. Answered Questions. After an address lastiffg' half an hour. Miss Johnson dealt lucidly with several questions. This morning Miss Johnson said that to demonstrate before such a large number, including many well informed on the breed, was something of a shock to the nervous system. Whether sne would do prepared to undertake a similar task again depended on circumstances.

Miss Johnson was emphatic that interest in the scientific side made farming more attractive for the average girl.

Perhaps house duties or office work would be more attractive if there was only a grade herd to deal with, but ever since her schooldays she had been fascinated by studying the Herd Book. “Work Also Hobby.” “It is pleasant when work is also a hobby,” Miss Johnson says. Even during her High School days (when allowed) she cared for the calves, and in recent years has been largely responsible for managing and arranging Stanton stock for shows. She had visited most of the leading stud farms in the North Island, and herself has been an unfailing attender and questioner at demonstrations.