White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-11-18
.FRIESLAND HONE OF
WONDERFUL CATTLE
Netherland Province Cele-
brated Dairy Center.

Of6IcQ Larry SculcTs
Washington.- province of
Friesland, in the Netherlands which
recently held an agricultural fair at
the provincial capital, Leeuwarden, is
one of the most important dairying
regions of Europe" says bulletin
from the Washington headquarters Of
the National Geographic society.
"Black and white Friesian cattle,
breed known in America as Holstein-
Friesian, have found their way into
most of the milk and butter countries
of the world.
"Friesian cattle were mentioned by
the Roman historian Tacitus as being
of Importance as early as the year %
A. d. Perhaps because of this early
start, or by reason of the favorable
location of the province in regard to
industrial cities of northern Europe,
Friesland farmers have grown pros
porous through many years of furnish
ing their neighbors with butter and
cheese.
Grazing Land Below Sea Level.
"This northern province of the
Netherlands lies between that arm of
the ocean known as the Zuyder Zee
and the North sea. 1t is bordered by
a rim of bikes and high sand dunes
behind which the country is so low
that were these bikes to break the en-
tire province would be submerged.
During the summer months the eli
mate of this low, flat plain is mild and
pleasant. Canal-bordered fields are
filled with black and white grazing
cattle.
"In winter, however weather condi-
lions are often severe. Storms Of
wind and rain may lash over the land
for days. The necessity for feeding
and warming milk cows during such
periods has developed a style of do
nestle farm architecture peculiar to
Friesland. Barn and dwelling are
under one roof, which rises high into
the sky in order to provide loft space
for the immense amount of hay need
ed as cattle feed during the long win
| ter. The whole gives the appearance
| of one-story cottage pushed low into
the earth by weight of an immense
| pointed roof, which reaches above the
| tops of the tall trees lining the road
way.
| "a hall separates the living quar-
tiers of the farmers family from space
set aside for cows, which, as a rule, is
the larger portion of the house. Wis
| itors testify that these barns are spot
less and odorless. Each stall is sand
| ed and has window of it's own, in
evitably decorated with fresh white
window curtain. Every COW has a
bath daily and many of their tails are
tied up with ribbon.
"There is always milk room or
dairy, equally spotless, with scrubbed
tables and benches and shining brass
utensils. Such immaculate cleanliness
is obtained by much welding of the
scrub brush on the part of female
members of the household.
"Friesian woman are noted for ro-
business of stature and freshness of
! complexion. The provincial costume
is still almost universally worn in the
country. This dress of many petit
coats and tight bodice is surmOunted
by head covering of unique splen.
dor. A gold casque with spiral orna-
ments over either temple Is covered
with a cap of finest lace, bordered
with frill across the back of the
neck. The gold portion of this head
dress is one of the most valued treas
ures of every provincial maiden. being
often present of father or fiance,
or else a result of the savings of
years. Less fortunate maidens have
to content themselves with casques of
threat of badness from so tight a
head covering has not sufficed to de-
ter Friesland bellies from wearing
their native millinery. 1t is said that
some go so far as to cut off their
tresses in order to produce the fash
ionable round shape to the head.
Bright Colors Prevail.
Like the rest of Holland, wood
work in Friesland is painted in the
brightest of reds, yellOws, blues and
greens, perhaps to compensate for the
general grayness of the atmosphere.
Walls and floors are tiled in bright
colors whenever possible. Heat Is OBJ
tanned by open fires of coal or peat,
or, of late, by the more modern gi-
gantic Dutch stove. Before this cen
ter of household life the Friesland
farmer smokes on long winter eve
nings and plans for the butter and
cheese of another year.
"Friesland cattle raisers are noted
for their hospitality, which is espe.
cially enjoyed by English or Ameri-
can visitors because of the fact that
many words of the two languages are
the same. Good butter and good
cheese, is good English and good
Friese,' is an ancient proverb that can
be understood by both peoples.
"Friesian dialect is said to have
many expressions similar to the high.
land Scotch. Perhaps this accounts
for the fact that there are always
Scotch buyers at the Friesian cattle
fairs. which for many years have fur
nished blooded dairy stock to the mar
| kets of the world"