Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-05-16


tie of Holland, those of Beemster and
Drechterland Upon these animals the
milk form has been ingrafted to higher
degree than upon any other breed Of cattle
known. Nowhere can be found cattle with
broader and more prominent hips and hip
bones, while, in consequence of this extraor-
binary development of the hind parts, the
fore parts remain light, letting the fore legs
appear high the chest does not attain suff.
cient depth, aud the shoulders present bony
aspect. This bodily structure, the result OF
breeding, must be accepted as peculiar to all
Dutch cattle. Scientific breeding can easily
remove these defects.
As to the question, whether Dutch dali
rymen give universal preference to black and
white cattle for dairy purposes, or whether
this preference is based upon mere fancy" |
must answer that the latter is unquestionably
the case.
With the great majority Of Dutch dairy
men, this preference for black and white cattle
does exist, although have met some of the
heaviest breeders of the Beemster, Purmer,
and Of other parts Of Holland, who prefer
red and white, others silver-gray. In Fries
land, the prejudice against red, gray and
white cattle is great. There rarely any other
er color than black is found. But when
asked why he prefers black and white, the
Friesland is unable to advance any satisfac-
tory reasons. Dutch scientific agricuturists
unanimously agree that this preference for
black and white cattle is mere fancy, hand
ed down from father to son, just as the Dutch
farmer prefers black coat to red one. In
nowlse whatever does the black and white
color indicate superiority OF race.
must here touch upon the prevailing and
erroneous notion Of one or the other strain Of
Dutch cattle being mongrel Holstein breeds
There is no such thing known in Holland.
1t has been clearly shown that HolStein cat
tie are the distant but direct offspring Of
Dutch dairy stock, and as such approach the
latter nearer than any other breed OF cattle.
Yet, in milk-supply, they are by no means
equal. That the Germans entertain the
same opinion is evidenced by their heavy
importation of Dutch cattle for the purpose
of improving their dairy stock Dutch cows
and choice bulls have of late been shipped
to Germany in such large numbers that high
Dutch officials, | understand, contemplate
the enactment of prohibitory measures
against that class Of expectations.
Professor Hengeveld has specially been
written to upon the subject Of Dutch cattle
and Holstein cattle The learned author
kindly replied, and | herewith subjoin a
translation Of his remarks He says
"The cattle of the Beemster and Drech-
terland are not only the best dairy stock in
the Netherlands, but, as mixers, surpass any
breed Of cattle in Europe, the celebrated
Swiss stock Of Bern and Saone not excepted
Necessarily it follows that they are to be
preferred to the Holstein, Oldenburg, Brett
euburg, and all other so.called marsh or pol
der breeds of those countries. They yield
more abundantly and their milk is Of rich.
er quality, while, as beef cattle, they show a
less angular frame and finer tissues"
In confusion, permit me to add descrip.
tion of what Dutch farmer would call O
" Jeste koe," tbest cow 1t presents, if such
Il term may be used in this connection, the
Dutch 5eau.ideal of COW, and | am indebt
ed for it to Mr.. w. Sluis, one of the best in
formed cattle breeders Of the Beemster.:
"a beae koe must show a finely mould
ed head; large nostrils; thin, transparent
horns; clear, bright eye thin, large and
not excessively wrinkled eyelids rose-color'
ed inner membranes Of the eye purely red
lachrymal glands n kind, mild countenance
blue nose thin neck free respiration; fins
bones wel-formed body, with rather broaC
hind parts straight back; long, thin tail
round but moderately bent ribs; developed
belly; stout, yet not heavy legs smootl
Joints, thin, mellow, movable skin; soft hair
delicately haired broad and dropping udder
four well.formed, dark.colored teats wei
developed milk and blood vessels vessels oil
the belly and about the udder to be proper
! tionately broad and vigorous, and of wen
like swell, and the vessels of the udder anC
inner hams to spread net-like, the opening
through which the milk and blood vessels en-
ter the body to be large and roomy. A Gov
thus formed is also apt to show perfect es
cutcheon.n
/ From Mr.. Sluis | also learned why tn
Dutch farmer prefers black and white t.
a white and black cattle, namely, because it j
f the general belief that cattle with too mucl
$ white about them do not endure cold as vel
b as those with which black is the predominant
$ ing color. As another Dutch notion, ma,
, mention the prejudice entertained agains
I bulls that carry black spots on the pouch, o
|. on the hooks failed to be enlightened a
, to the reason of this prejudice, although a
a cattle.exhibihOns it happened that Otherwis
$ unobjectionabe animals were rejected by tn
judges on this account.
1 A Dutch can is somewhat less than one quart gu
, Ion squRlling Al cans.
b JUSTIN MORGAN.
v Isaac Richards, at late meeting Of tn