The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-21


One million COWS inhabit Switzerland
About three millions of people. also; one
COW 30 three people. Each family iH en-
titled 30 free pasture for one COW On the
parish lots. put the cowh and the peo-
Pile into thls association because the COWS
are the wealth Of the people, and the
word Alps means high pasture. A COW
iS worth here and now, hundred dol
lars, gives thirty pounds of milk daily,
which produces two hundred weight Of
cheese in season These COWS are
driven up the mountains as the season
advances, and down when il is time for
them to descend, and so they get all
there ls 10 be eaten Rs il grows. Three
persons are assigned 30 every forty COWS ;
they milk them and make the cheese for
the whole number Of owners, and when
the product is sold, the profits are div
sied among them according 10 the num-
ber of cows uf each. The term chdtot
is properly applied only 10 the lodgings
Of these cOw-keepers. but IL Is also
given 10 Swiss dwellings generally. The
small buildings scattered over the fields
are for hay, cheese. and shelter. The
COWS are petted and carefully attended
10. Perhaps none Of them became 80
intelligent as 10 read their names on a
card posted at the stalls they are 10 en-
ter, as il was jestngly affirmed Of my
friend Mr. Stars COWS, al Latchheld,
Echo Farm. But each canton has his
Ran. do Iidchss, melody that the
peasant sings on the hills aud respond
from the wales, which is merely a COW
call; In German kuhrcihen; rows Of
COWS IN English, because they come ia
"a row IN answer Ia the call. As the
making Of butter and cheese is the great
business Of the people, the raising Of
grass for winter feed is a matter Of prime
Importance, and 81 Il they bend all their
energies and ingenuity. The smallest
and most obscure spot where grass can
be made 10 grow is carefully titled, and
the produce transported on the back or
head Of the peasant. man or woman.
Where We would think II unsafe 20 go,
they work without fear. and are satisfied
with the pittAnce Of hay they carry 10
the barn.
The Swiss women work in the fields,
but the men are not idle. They arr in
gsnious an well as industrious, making
the works for watches by hand, carving
wood into the most fantastic as well ~
useful shapes, turning ont toys Tor for
cigu children, and doing anything t0 earn
a little money The time WAS when
Swiss men hired themselves freely 81
the kings ot other countries as soldiers,
but they have ceased 20 seek money by
such pursuits. They are Wide-awake q
the education Of their children. and We
mcc, the girls and boys going from
school with their sAtchels filed with
books. Many Of the young men 60 q
foreign cities seeking their fortunes; and
the financial. scientific and learned
world. has often heard Of their bankers,
and merchants, and scholars The teach
ers Of Switzerland have their oonven
tions, and are quite as enthusiastic IN
improving the modes 81 education n
teachers IN the United States.
They take pains to make their dwei
linge comfortable, and some Of them ART
models oi neatncss as well as conven'
icnce. But there is the same difference
among them IN this matter as N all other
countries. Tho thrifty people keel
things Ia good orler repairing, cnlarg
ing, embcllishing, and making such i'm
proyements As their taste and means per
mit. The number u new houses goine
up is surprising One would think
something had occurred to give new
/ start 20 business here. when II is de
/ pressed elsewhere. But the less thrifty
Z and more shiftlcss 81 the people have th'
house. the barn, and the cattle shed al
I under one roof. How IL Il possible To-
1 the family 20 have health in such circum
/ stances The women, exposed 20 th'
weather and many hardships, have com
plcxions almost the color Of leather, anC
Z very fc~'of the peasant women, whom
We see in the fields or the streets, are Il
any sense Food-looking, but, taken as
nation. the poor people show plainl,
4 that they are hard-worked and ill-faYor
/ s3 - Nrtr ygrE Obscrrcy.