The record-union., 1895-05-02
encourage rapid growth, early maturity
early breeding and an unusual develop

In Holland the farm buildings suggest
cattle and crops and plain living-Lhe
farm savors of the farmer; the fields and
surroundings are redolent of human care
and toll. All SO neat, so cleanly. we de-
light in the contemp plation of ii.
The barns, those real Dutch barns, are
a most remarkable feature of Hollands
rural architecture. They dot this flat
country, anchored in Oases of green trees
and foliage, which serve for shade III
summer and protection against winter
winds, and contribute to 4 pleasant diver
sity in the landscape which otherwise
would be intolerably monotonous. "As
broad as a Dutch barn" has become a
proverbial expression. 1t is a comfort
TO look at one-they have such enormous
expansion of roof and suggest such shell
ter and protection. Low caves, high
ridgepole, long rafters and short posts
produce quaint combination. They are
usually very broad upon the ground,
with more importance given to surface
than cubic capacity. A hood generally
projects over the great doors. always
divided into upper and lower halves.
These massive buildings may look short
waisted, antique and plain, with their
Lhatched roofs, but they are GER
taiuly instructed to affJrt tho greater
attaiuable convenience and preserve ab-
solute cleanliness. The floors of many
OF these barns, let 1t be remarked in pass
ing, are cleaner and more invitin. than
the tabiecloths of numerous country ho-
tells in some States easily called TO mind.
1t is varied and changing country
one trayerses in visiting the different
sectious OF II ollaDd. AT times the land
extends, undulating slightly. with here
finely growing fields Of oats, wheat and
abundant pastures; there arid waste,
u crftt-s ,iflYD nd U
scrub brush hardly finds foothold. The
landscape extends in all directions, like
a panorama, studded with rivers and
waterways, tlowing peacefully on, shaded
by masses Of living verdure, lrrigatln &
the gardens and the prairie. Rural habl-
tations are reelected, mirror-llke, III the
siIvery waters. Elegant cottages are lost
in banks OF flowers and foliage. The
verandas arbor groups of charming girls
women of Holland excel. The open
doors, with seats disposed at the entrance
OF the houses, seem an invitation for the
traveller to come in. the passer- by to rest,
and the visitor to sit down.
In the vicinity of the River Yssell the
soil formed from alluvial deposits is eX-
ceedingly fertile. Imagine herds OF SUI
perb cattle browsing in luXuriant fields
where half of their sleek form disappears
in the high grass; add few clumps OF
woods and some elegant habltatlons.
and you have a faint idea Of the almost
magical resources of these bits OF land.
IN the provinces OF GrOningue and
Friesland the country IS rich and fertile.
The soil of these provinces is formed OF
alluvial land of marvellous fecundlty. On
every hand you are sure to meet abund-
ance and fertility. This section Is the
paradise of the farmers. They are, in
L., 81 81 A
along the country roads, amidst fields OF
golden grain, sugar beels and green past
ures, the tarmhouses rear sumptuOus
facades, often four stories in hight and OF
proportionate dimensions; smooth, green
lawns, tastefully Ornamented with Hower
beds, extend from the house to ditch at
the roadside. This ditch is full of water.
and over it are thrown neat wooden
bridges, tastily painted in bright colors.
To the house is attached the farm build
ings arranged with view to improved
and advanced methods OF culture. I'm
mense barns, vast storage rooms for the
products of the field, grain bins, car
riage and tool buildings, where the
plows, threshers and feed-culters are
kept in perfect order.
In this, as in triesland, the production
of butter and cheese is one of the princi-
PAL elements which have assisted to bring
about a maximum of prosperity. There
are few agriculturists in these provinces
who are not comparatively well OFT.
However, we are now bound Tor the
shrine of Hollands dairymen in the
country of polders, those marvellous
praires, reclaimed from the lake bot
toms, and protected by dykes from the
sea. A section Justly celebrated through
out the entire world for its wonderful
farms.
Who does not know them, by reputa-
ton at least, these farms of North Hol-
land? Who has not heard OF those com
Portable rustic homes, beaming with
cleanliness? 1t is here one finds those
stables with tiled walls, the floor sanded
in Mosaics of various colors, cleaner Than
many parlors, where one mast neither
smoke, nor spit, nor cough, and where II
is interdicted TO touch the soil of the floor
unless one has previously encased his
fe ct IN whitewashed wooden shoes.
In these stables hold sway the god
desses of the country, the beautiful black
and white COWS. Systematically ranged
upon woven straw mats.
"A rich man mourns his child, poor
man mourns his cow" some philosopher
has said.
How many North Hollanders, notwith.
standing their riches, remain as the pau
per, upon this point! But the love they
profess for these docile creatures does not
drag them to the point of neglecting their
in terests. So, when old age has come,
they do not know how to do violence to
their heart. Rather than see the animal
expire under their eyes they prefer con.
tiding it to the enlightened care of &
butcher, who takes upon himself the
task TO abridge its sufferings.
Nevertheless, While they are awaiting
this fatal moment, nothing is more touch.
ing than the pious anxiety with which
the y orth Holland farmer attends the
superb animals who constitute, after all
the best portion OF his wealth.
There is no one thing more remarkable
than the admirable cleanliness of these
stables, freshly painted III bright tints
with the added effect upon the walls, of g
yerita ble arsenal of pals and pots
brightly polished and shining like gilt.
| They are so neat those Incompatible
| stables; they often serve as parlor to the
family, and it is a frequent occurrence to
see in some corner at one end OF the room
pretty young maids, with the golden
| headgear OF the region, working at fancy
! needlework or crOcheting some pretty
nothings. Here they pass the greater
| part of their existence, unheeding The rest
OF the world, living simple life, with a
! horizon limited by stacks of cheese and
| piles of HOrlnS.
a more prosperous agricultural class
| than the dairy farmers OF North Holland
and Friesland cannot be found condi.
ton of affairs due to their breed OF cattle
| These cattle have been called the Dutch,
| the Holland or Netherland cattle, but ol
| late years have been knownas Holsteins,
| and, from the time OF certain consoliCla.
! ton OF herd books, have assumed the
com pound patrOnylnic of Holstein- Erie,
SLAMS. The general adoption of this name
was the result of compromise between
! two rival associations OF cattle breeders
! in the United States-the HOstein and
the Dutch Friesian, which, in 1885, were
united and the name Holstein- Friesiau
was agreed upon.
| ,rhaSa nafila can ha tracod in fhair mn,