Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-12-19
Best Jerseys for the Show Ring

OF one OF Its recent issues to 'Sympo
sium on the Value of the Show Ring,
consisting Of expressions by leading Jer
sey breeders and exhibitors in answer tt
the question: "In what way Is the
show ring Of value to the breeder, tht
public, and the breedp" We shall moi
at this time give the matter further dis
cussion, but will let the quotations We
make speak for themselves.
In his reply to this inquiry Mr.. j. E.
Dodge of Hood Farm. Massachusetts,
speaks as follows:
S"From our standpoint, to answer as to
the value of show ring is very diH
cult matter. There is no question but
that large showing of high class Jer'
seys at fairs attracts good deal OF at,
teption to the breed, and to the breeder
and owner of the animals exhibited, but
as have looked over the shows for the
past number of years It Is very doubtful
in my mind, if the large majority OF Jer.
seys shown have been of any real value
to the breed in attracting dairymen and
new breeders to the Jersey cause. A
great many Of the animals shown have
been so fine, delicate, and beautiful that
the farmer would not have them, and
they would not stand the care and treat,
ment the average dairyman gives to his
producing herd and yield proper returns
at the pail.
''If the Jersey breeder will show the
kind of cattle that do business at the
pail, and are of good size, with lots OF
constitution and capacity, showing will
bring lots of new breeders to the jersey
cause. We show only occasionally. and
that to show to the Jersey world that
we are breeding good type as we'll as the
largest producers.
1--WE did not intend showing at the
National Dairy Show, but the president
of the American Jersey Cattle Club and
his assistants we're so persistent In want
ing US to send Sophie 18th OF Hood
Farm, the worlds champion dairy COW.
to the National Dairy Show that very re
Mr.. Hood gave his consent.
On deciding to send Sophie 10th of Hood
Farm to Springfield, we thought W.
might just as we'll send along few o.
our large producing cows, one OF ou'
herd bulls and a few young animals.
simply as demonstration of the kind OF
COWS that do large work at the pail and
are of the type that breeders should
breed for. We expect that this will be
of value to rs in demonstrating to Jer
sey breeders that the big strong, rugged
COWS that do the work at the pail are OF
good type and have quality and finish
enough for any animal.
"If the right kind of animals are
shown they advertise the breeder and
the breed, which brings added business
to the exhibitors, new converts to th.
breed, and therefore helps the entire
Jersey business.
81 have believed for years the true
measure of cows value was based op
her ability to produce at the pail, and
this seems logical az We certainly keep
cows for what they will produce-and
the great rank and file of breeders and
dairy men of America keep COWS for the
same purpose. II true measure OF
cows value could be determined in the
show ring, then the show ring would be
of untold value to the breed, but the
only thing determined by the show ring
is beauty of form, and generally 1t is one
mans judgment that places the animals
in the ring. If he is a man who consid-
ers dairy ability in the animals there is
lesson to be learned, but how often do
We see this?
81 like the motto of one of our good
southern breeders. We work our show
COWS and show our work cows If all
will do this, provided they are big
enough workers, what boon 1t would
be to the breed by demonstrating to the
dairy men and farmers the value OF Jer-
sey COW, and when you see at all our
fairs long string of Jerseys with plenty
of size, constitution, capacity, quality,
and finish, then you will see shows that
bring lots of good to the breed"