THE JERSEY ON THE FARM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 21

THE JERSEY ON THE FARM.

A PLEA FOR FAIRER TREATMENT. POSITION ON EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. GOVERNMENT POSITION DEFENDED. (From Our Own Correspondent.} WANGANUI, July 14. A matter of considerable interest to Jersey-breeders was discussed at the annual

meeting of the association, held at Wanganui, wiien Mr J. T. Belcher, on behalf of Stratford, moved: —"'That the council urge upon the Board of Agriculture to bring under the notice of the Government the desirability of placing the Jersey breed on the same footing as other- breeds at the experimental farms.” In proposing the remit, Mr Belcher held that the Government had been taking more .nterest in. Holstein cattle than in Jerseys. He considered that now the Board of Agriculture had been appointed, the matter should be given attention on the experimental farms. The cost of production and every feature should be taken into consideration. Mr Petersen seconded the motion. He said it had come under his notice that the Jersey cows on the Ruakura Farm had been put on inferior soil. He considered that Holsteins, Shortshorns, and Jerseys should be placed on an equal footing, and given the same chance. Mr M’Kenzie said that the reason why the Government had slackened its interest in Jerseys was to be found in the attitude of the Jersey-breeders themselves in protesting against the action of the Government in buying up the best Jerseys at high prices. In answer to questions put by members present, the mover explained that it was the idea to have . all the cattle put together for the annual tests. Mr Eagle said that he had visited the Ruakiira Farm, and had found that the Government did not have the best of Jerseys. The action of the Jersey-breeders resulted in the importation of Jerseys from Australia. This innovation had not proved successful. Mr Eagle offered the Government one of the best Jerseys for the experimental farm. Mr Wilkinson, who had visited the Ruakura Farm, expressed the belief that the lack of success achieved with the Jorsoys there was due to the manner in which they wore milked by the cadets. The boys had no interest in the cows. They changed about fortnightly, and the result was that the animals were not treated properly. Mr Hall supported this view, and said •that the cows were doing very badly owing to the treatment received at the hands of the cadets. The whole trouble, he went on to say, was due to too many cadets milking. and changing about. A highlystrung Jersey cow did not care about changes Milkers. — Mr Chas. Hiorns referred to the comparative economic costs of breeding £he Holstoins, Ayrshires, Shorthorns, and Jerseys, and asked that a test bo made to find out which animal was the best. The president said that the association had already approached the Government, and their answer was final. The Government would not allow tests. A recommendation in this direction would not be much good. Messrs Belcher and Petersen asked to withdraw the motion. , In place of the remit Mr Harkness moyed —“ That the Government bo asked to ini; prove the herd of Jersey cattle.” Mr Hall seconded this motion. It was stated with regard to the experimental farms that the Government did not like’ to give information as to the results of their experiments. Farmers could go to the farms, watch the work, and judge for themselves. As to the best methods employed, there might be numbers of brands of milking machines and ploughs being used, and different broods of cows and classes of fruit trees on the farm. Tiro Government would not say which was the best machine, animal, or fruit tree; but a farmer could sec the objects and use his own discretion. Mr Hall said he had had 40 years’ experience with cadets, and bore out the statements made with regard to the way they treated the cows. He had never seen a Jersey cow yet that would answer to this treatment. The president, in speaking to the motion, said ho would prefer it was not carried. The association was endeavouring to improve the herds and methods of milking. A Member: So long as they have the cadets we can’t improve matters. Mr M‘Kcnzie said that at Ruakura they had a Scots woman who cared for the Jerseys properly. Mr Hall offered one of Iris best Jersey cows for the experimental farm so long as it was milked properly. Mr J. M. Deem, fields director at the Moumahaki State Farm, told the history of the Government’s efforts to commence Jersey-breeding on the experimental farms. Ho spoke of the first purchases which were intended to form the nucleus of the herd. Ho then referred to the strenuous opposition of the Jersey-brecdors and of the resolution sent to the department by the breeders, asking the Government to stop buying in New Zealand. The farm officers wore'prevented from making further purchases of Jerseys, and scon afterwards commenced buying Holsteins, and a herd of these animals was built up. Mr Deem concluded by suggesting that the meeting should pass a resolution saying that those present were in favour of the Government purchasing a few good Jersey cows. Mr Goodson considered that the Government should buy good cows. Other members wore of opinion that it would bo better if the Government, instead of buying three-quarterbred cows, went out of the country for purebred cattle. Mr Griffith paid a warm tribute to the care taken by the manager of the Ruakura State .Farm (Mr M'Connell) with the Jerseys. As Mr Eagle had said, the yearlings bred at the farm last year wore of the best possible standard. The motion that the Government be asked to improve the herd of Jerseys was ticar- — The Work of Cadets Further Criticised. — The above matter having been disposed of, further attention was directed to the work of the cadets. Mr Griffith contended that with regard to the milking of the lerseys, Mr M'Connell was doing the best ho could with the materials he had. Mr Hall agreed, and remarked that he preferred to soe a good milker employed instead of the cadets. Mr Eagle suggested that prizes should bo given to the cadets to induce them to dp good work when milking. He would like the suggestion loft in the hands of the coun. oil to consider. Mr Lancaster considered that the services of a permanent milker should bo secured. Mr Ranford supported the idea that the council should award -prizes to encourage the boys to be careful with Jerseys when milking. Mr Griffith moved, and Mr Lancaster seconded —“ That as the protection of the Jersey cows at Ruakura is seriously handicapped bv the present system of the cows being milked by cadets, the council urge on the Department of Agi-'culturo the desirability of having the milking done by the

best permanent milkers obtainable on similar lines to those in at Weraroa.” The’ motion was'put and carried.