296 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and in nearly all cases coming under my notice, much greater than in any 

 other stock. Then the peculiar character of the milk to grow calves, just 

 adapted to form bone and muscle while they are growing. 



I have been interested in trying experiments in growing calves of milking 

 stock, suitable for butter-making, especially Jerseys, by feeding upon milk 

 of cows which do not make good butter, and the result was quite marked, while 

 no calf makes so good advancement fed ujion rich, butter-making milk, as if 

 fed upon a milk adapted to cheese-making. The abundant flow of this kind of 

 milk, from the Dutch cow, insures a rapid development in the progeny, and 

 robust, thrifty physique. 



My conviction is, that to institute an experiment of ten or more cows of 

 Dutch and Shorthorn stock under the same feed and circumstances, as far as 

 practicable, and weigh the progeny at six months or two years old, it would be 

 found that the Dutch stock would cost the least per pound. 



My experiments with the half-bloods were very gratifying, and outstripped 

 all others with same feed. 



These experiments were made with some care. I repeatedly received offers 

 of $225 to §250 per yoke for eighteen months steers, which never ate any 

 grain. I sold four to your neighbor, Mr. Munroe, which girted, at eighteen 

 months, six feet seven inches average, and one pair averaged six feet eight 

 inches. 



As to the working qualities of Dutch cattle, or their crosses, I am unable to 

 give you any idea from personal knowledge. I questioned the herdsmen in 

 two or three estates in Belgium, where these cattle were kept for cheese-mak- 

 ing, and they assured me that they excelled in this particular ; one of them, 

 pointing to the intelligent head and eye, and strong, straight, active limbs, 

 saying, * ' do you doubt it ? " 



At all events, when I get ready to breed once more, which I hope will be 

 soon, I shall try the Dutch cattle again, either from your herd or direct from 

 Holland, if the injunction be raised. Truly yours, 



T. S. Lang. 



