St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-01-24
HOIstein Friesian Cattle.
History of n Famous Breed Some
Phenomenal Dairy Records.

These cattle were introduced from the
land, section OF the Kingdom of Neither
lands, bordering on the North Sea,
commonly called Holland. The dairy
men OF these provinces are descendants
OF the ancient Friesians, and their cattle
are lneal descendants OF the cattle bred
by them two thousand years ago. From
the earliest account of the dairy hus-
bandry these cattle have been used and
developed for dairy purposes.
Eastward from its place OF origin this
race has spread even more extensively
than southwark. 1t has extended even
to Ru, STA where at the mouth of the
riverl Dwina, nearly under the Arctic
Circle, it has produced the Kolmogorian
breed, the most highly valued cattle OF
that country. Whether it might have
spread westward into England and the
Channel Islands but for the laws restrict.
ing importations from the continent,
cannot be said. 1t is however asserted
by Professor Low, an eminent English
author on breeds of cattle, writing in
1910, that early importations of Dutch
cattle exercised great influence on the
formation OF the Teeswater, after wards
known as the Short horn breed.
The type of the breed is technically
called the milk and beef form. 1t is
especially strong in all vital particulars
The bones are fine compared with size
and the chine broad and strong compar.
ed with the high and sharp chime of the
extreme milk torn. The loin and hips
are broad and smooth, and the rump
high and level, compared with the
angularity usually shown in the milk
form. The twist is roomy and the
thighs and hooks well apart. Passing
forward, the shoulders are smoother
and more compact than in the milk
form, but of lighter weight than in the
beef form. The brisket is not so wide
and low as in the beef form, and the
chest is not so deep, but the width of the
beef form through at the heart is closely
retained. In the milk form the abdomen
is usually swung low. and the ribs are
steep; but in the milk and beef form the
ribs are wider sprung and the abdomen
more trinity held up, though no less
capacious. The general appearance OF
the bull is strongly masculine, but that
OF the cow is no less feminine than in the
milk form.
Quantity Of production and persistency
OF milking during long periods are wei
known characteristics of this breed
Dropping her first calf at about two
years ol0, an average cow of this breed
il well cared for, will produce from 5000
to 5000 pounds OF milk in ten months
and she will increase this production eacl
and every year until, at five years old
she will give from 1000 to 1000 pounds
The quality of this milk will range from
to per cent. tat and from 8 to 10 pc
cent. solids not fat. If fed to thei
ability to digest and assimilate food tn
majority OF these cows will exceed thi
production. Before the introduction O
this breed, from $500 to 900 pound
per annum were regarded as extrem
high averages for the cows of thi
country. We think it is safe to affirm
that the introduction of this breed ha
raised, directly or indirectly, the averag
OF American cows from 500 to 200
pounds. One of the cows OF the earIles
permanent importation yielded 00S7
pounds of milk in nine weeks, the highes
days yield being 76 pounds. This AM
other similar records of the breed wer
received with widespread incredibly.
In 1880 he cow Aaggie made recor,
OF Is 004 5 l6 pounds Of milk within on
year from date ofcalving This record wa
almost universally regarded as himposs
bity. Among those that Joined in thi
, view was Professor Long of England
! then publishing a large work on dair
husbandry, which was widely sui
scribed for in this country, and issued i
r quarterly numbers. Thus the capacit
Tor this breed Tor milk production became
} matter OF more than ordinary public il
: terest. In August, 1885. the owners G
. Aaggie commenced a record of the Gov
. CIotbilde. They invited public scrutin,
Of this record du ing its full progress
! Her record for the year was 26,021 l