THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2423, 4 December 1930, Page 6

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

A NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS. THREE CROPS A YEAR*. A member of the party of New iZealand farmers that recently toured Great Britain, with trips to Denmark and the Channel Islands, writes as follows on ilia impressions of “the home of the popular Jersey cow.” We quote: “Jersey is a truly wonderful place. Ten miles long by five miles wide, an area of 43,000 acres, almost every inch is Cultivated. The climate is such that ■three crops a year arc produced. Tho export trade in early vegetables to England as .immense. A* The farms are very small, averaging only 30 acres, but they are worked -to the very best advantage. Since 1793 no imported cattle have been allowed on the island to stay, and since 1840 no cattle whatever have been allowed to land. There arc about 5000 cows and a total of 12,000 head of cattle on the island. Is it not therefore amazing that although every year the best animals afe- sold to America and Australia the island breed is steadily improving both in type and production? A number of shows are held every year, and there is Iccen competition amongst the breeders for the rribbons. The cattle seen were of a high general average, with many quite outstanding good ones. The production figures arc about the same as In New Zealand, but the keeping of records is not general. This fact is due to the American market, which prefers to buy a pedigree of good strain proved In America than to buy animals tried <ofit in the island. -“The point that particularly struck the New Zealand farmers was the col!<Uir of the animals. They are all grades from black, dun, yellow, red and patched: with white. There is no prejudice against any particular colour on the islamf. In fact, the best cow seen was » black one. “Some of the principal farms are delightful old manor houses dating from Norman times, set in gardens well worthy of them. Jersey will always fce a beautiful spot to anyone, but to the Jersey breeder it is his Mecca.”