Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-08
agricultural.


We have been very fayOrablv impressed
with all that we have seen of this stock
and we believe Vermont farmers will dc
we'll to inform themselves in regard to it:
value as a means ofimproving their dairy
cows. They are certainly hardy and
thrifty race, and show decided marks, OIL
inspection, of being good dairy animals
The following, from m article by Mr.
Whiting. of Concord, Mass, in the C0u1a
trV Gentleman, contains some useful infor
nation about them.
The characteristics of the Dutch cattle
race, says Mr.. w, are its eminent milk
giving and fattening qualities. To thi.
last named quality ask particular atten
ton, because less stress has been put upon
it in this country than upon their Well
known very large productiveness in milk
The Paris Exhibition of 1856 stated in it,
report, as quoted by Mueller 81 The Dutcl
cattle can, with proper treatment and
breeding, rival the best cattle breeds o.
Europe, irrespective OF their qualities a.
mixers" Their yield of milk on theil
pastures, with no other feed, averages il
the better parts of the country, say in the
Beemster and Drechterland, twenty tc
twenty-five quarts daily for the whole
Faturing season of about six months
| entered Europe with no views favora
bic to the Dutch cattle. but looking to an
entirely different breed for my own choice
But it being my plan to see what | coulC
of the dairy stock of that part of the world
after some time spent in the Channe
Islands. | crossed to Rotterdam, whence
[ was scarcely on my way north before ]
was attracted by the noble looking animal
to be seen grazing on either hand The
general outline of the Dutch cow, as
viewed from little distance, is as near tc
the idea of Il perfect dairy animal as is
presented by any, and extremely similar
TO that of Guernsey. A closer inspection
however, reveals an angularity quite il
contrast with the improved English breeds
Although travelling writers are in the
habit of speaking of them Us black and
white, and in Holland four in five are so
yet they are everywhere bred in mixeC
herds of black and white, red and white
and grey and white. In these distinction.
of colors there is none of blood-the Dutcf
cow, of whatever color, always shows the
same marked peculiar conformation which
distinguishes the oldest race of mich kin,
in the world.
While in Holland most of the summer
milk is made into cheese, butter of an ex
cellent quality is also sent to London mar
ket, and | find the yield to be at least equa
to the average Vermont dairies, quart fol
quart of milk. As the climate of Holland
is even more severe than that of New
England nothing need be feared on thai
point, if cattle are selected from the drvel
pastures on the wetter lands they be
come subject to rheumatism.
Dutch cattle are characterized by ex
treme heartiness as well rs by hardness
it has been urged against them that they
are large consumers of food which is. anC
ought be, true of an animal kept for milk
- q coSO giceS her milk by the mou',n bu
in my experience | have found them rela.
lively to their size and yield, cheaply kept
In Holland two and half tons of hay are
allowed for the long winter keep of each
full-grown animal, which is not far from
what is required here for animals of les,
size.
Here in Middlesex county, where there
are many grades from Mr.. Chenery's
stock, they are invariably favorites witt
the milk producers and even many half
breed bulls are kept.
1t is pernicious practice, that of report
ing an extraordinary yield of milk for a
single day, as evidence of superiority of
the race to which the animal giving it may
belong; but the distinguishing feature OF
the race now being considered, is the
fullness of its yield throughout the whole
season. doubt if any other breed in the
country can show record of 1861
pounds of milk in 800 DAYS. 1t is this
habit of continuous yield which Ireeard
us the most distinctive and valuable trait
of the Dutch cow A heifer imported by
me, now owned by Mr.. III. G. Hoffman OF
Households, Chemung county, New York
gave. after her first calf, an average of sc
pounds of milk daily for nine months after
calving, and in her tenth month, when
parted with her was giving 90 pounds pei
day, with no better feed than is given ir
the stables of our milk producers gener
ally. Her mother at four years old, afteI
u forty days journey by land and sea, az
rived IN this country nearly dry in Novem
Der, 1870, having calved in the previou:
spring yet, within three weeks of hel
landing, she was giving nearly eighteen
quarts daily, which she continued until i
became necessary to dry her up for AGAR
calving. l parted with her at the same
time with the heifer, when she was giving
% quarts daily in the fifth month aftel
calving; her extreme yield had been 2;
quarts in day.
Now | am aware these figures are moi
surprising as compared with the state
ments we occasionally see published, ye
l believe there is not dairyman who
reads this who would not be glad to be
able to say as much of the animals he
owns.
If a Dutch dairyman seeks large-sized
animals, it is because in their seventh
year they are turned into beef: for milk.
medium-sized animals are preferred.
Obliged to limit this article to such briet
testimony as may serve to point out the
great excellence of Dutch dairy stock, ]
hope yet to have interested some readers
to whom the subject is new, and to have
answered some Of those private inquiries
addressed to ME on the subject believe
it is yet to be the mission of the strong
blood of the Dutch cattle race, to bring
that Improvement to our mich kline which
all agree is much needed.
A new style of wall paper for dining
rooms has medallions of game and birds
real skins and real feathers being used
The figures are raised on light harL