Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-11-11
HOW THE DUTCH MANAGE COWS.

Our minister to the Netherlands, Hon.
James Birney, has written letter to
friend in Michigan concerning Holland
dairy cows. He says: "Holland is the
paradise of cows; but the term 'Hols.
tein' is misnomer, and the Holland, or
Dutch COW, is really superior to the Hols-
tein." He remarks that Holland cows are
regarded as the best for yield of milk and
cheese making; and dairyman near
Utica, n. Y, regards Holland cows as
yielding larger quantity and richer
quality of milk, and better adapted to
butter and cheese making than any other
breed of cows that he has seen. Mr.. Bir-
ney says:
The genuine Holland cattle are inva-
riably white land black. You will occa-
sionally find some of a mouse color, but
they are regarded as mixed stock. One
family of Holland cattle is so definitely
marked that when seen at a distance YOU
would suppose they were black, with Il
white cloth bound around their bodies
hardly any other cattle are seen in Hol-
land.
These cattle are even shorter-horned
than the Durham. Their shape is very
symmetrical, with long straight back,
small head, and trim limbs and large
frame. They are remarkably gentle and
manageable and their pastures are not
inclosed by fences, but by shallow bitches,
over which they seldom leap When IN
pasture they are mostly clothed with a
blanket of hempen cloth, which defends
them from the togs at night, and the flies
at midday. They are MIXED with pune
tuahtv. The mixer takes his seat, and
with cord. always at hand, he ties their
hind legs together, and with another at
taches their tail, so that it may not be
whisked about. Over the large vessel
into which the milk is poured. when the
pail becoms full, fine Straincr Is placed
so as to catch all foreign PARTICLES.
The most perfect care Is taken of the
lots in which they feed. Every few days
a man goes over them with a rake in
hand, scatters the droppings, and Sits
over the land some fcriiliziug substance 10
keep the grass in healthy vigor. They
practice here upon the theory that it is as
necessary to feed the land as to feed the
animals
During the winter the cows are kept in
brick stables, constructed SO as TO afford
the greatest possible comfort and con-
ycnicncc uader one roof; and at one end
Of the building the daiUmau or herds
man lives with his family The stable Is
oblons. with a floor through the centre,
toward which the heads of the cows are
turned from both sides, and from this
floor they are fed The stable floor Is OF
brick. and the COWS stand upon brick
platform 1--WE feet, six inches wide. with a
gutter Immediately behind. eighteen inch
Is deep, which catches all the cxcrement.
Still back of the gutter Is a platform to
walk upon The gutter Is we'll clcansed
every morning, and washed out with a
stream of water The manure Is all
taken TO watts in the yard, where It Is kept
for use.
Over the rump of the cows a cord Is
stretched, 10 which the tail Of each COW
is attached in such a way that when she
lies down it is always suspended, so as
not to get soiled in the gutter. Only sand
is used for bedding. The COWS are kept
very clean, and the milk never has the
odor of the stable. The feeding, water
ing. and milking are done with the reg
ularity of clock-work, and they feed Of
ten. and only what is eaten in a short
time They think that in this way mon
Is eaten, with better digestion. The Hol-
landerS treat their cows with extreme gen
tlcncSS. and this gives contentment OF
disposition, prevents nervousness, and aids
the secretion of milk.