38 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Oct. 



M. L. Russell, Rockville 



W. F. Young, Enfield 



Dr. George Wright, New Milford 



H. A. Allen New Milford 



J. J. Herold New Canaan 



E. H. Beers, Brookfield 



Adaptability of Holstein-Friesian 



The first importations of this breed into this country took 

 place more than a century ago, but the first to be kept pure 

 occurred in 1861. Between 1875 and 1895 about 10,000 animals 

 were brought over from Holland, and from these our present- 

 famous animals have largely descended. Since then, importations 

 have been few because of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease 

 in Holland. Their exceptional vitality, first rate breeding powers, 

 and remarkable productivity have popularized them to such an 

 extent that they have spread to all parts of the United States, 

 although they are found in larger numbers in the northern half 

 where dairying is more intensified. 



In size, the females average about 1,200 pounds, many of the 

 larger ones going as high as 1,500, while the bulls reach an 

 average weight of 1,800 pounds. This makes them the largest 

 of our dairy breeds and with this size is carried the capacity for 

 converting all kinds of farm feeds into milk, for which the breed is 

 noted. Their disposition is unsurpassed. Mild in temperament, 

 appreciative of kindliness, for such they were accustomed to in 

 their native home, they are possessed of a nervous development 

 that is conducive to high production, which is under perfect con- 

 trol. They are, therefore, pleasant to handle and while not 

 adapted to poor pastures, are unexcelled for converting roughages 

 into nature's chosen food to nurture young and to feed mankind. 



Naturally strong in vitality and in reproductive powers, this 

 force is passed on through the germ cell to the new-born. Calves 

 of this breed average about 90 pounds at birth, the males, as is 

 usually the case with other animals, frequently weighing several 

 pounds heavier. With reasonable skill, they can be easily raised^ 

 and rank high for veal production. 



The color of the Holstein as accepted for registry by the 

 Holstein-Friesian Association of America is black and white^ 



