FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 311 



Above the rear of tlie cows a jiole or cord is extended through tlie entire 

 length of the stable. To this the tail of eacli cow is attaclicd in such way, that 

 when she lies down it is always suspended sufficiently to prevent its contact 

 with dirt. Sand being plenty, and cheaper than hay, is used for bedding. By 

 this arrangement the cows are kept entirely clean, and the milk never takes 

 the odor of the stable. Tlie watering, feeding and milking of the cows is done 

 with the regularity of clock work. The trough before them is filled three times 

 during the day with clean water. They are fed frequently, and no more than 

 they will eat in a short time. This mode is preferred, because it gives them 

 intervals for rest, and their digestion is better if their stomachs are not over 

 burdened. They are treated with kindness and tenderness. This induces 

 contentment of disposition, and keeps them from becoming nervous and 

 feverish. This greatly aids the secretion of milk. The llollanders arc 

 impressed with the belief that if they keep their cows warm their product of 

 milk will be much larger than if chilled by cold air. There are grated 

 openings in the upper part of the walls for ventilation, but they are not large. 

 The walls are thick and the loft above filled with hay. And so it happens, 

 that if you enter one of these stables, coming from the clear air without, 

 you are almost suffocated, with its extraordinary heat and closeness. This 

 is the principal objection to their system. Nor do they yet seem to have 

 found it out. Every now and then an alarm is raised throughout the country 

 that some species of lung disease has shown itself among the cattle. The 

 neighboring countries hear of it and inhibit by stringent laws their importation. 

 The state inspectors are summoned, and wherever they find a herd with the 

 symptoms of disease, they slaughter the whole of them, and the state pays 

 their appraised \alue. This is a very expensive process. The moment I 

 entered one of these large stables, and felt the temperature of the atmosphere 

 breathed by these cattle, and perhaps breathed more than once, it seemed to 

 me, that nothing short of a miracle would prevent lung disease. When spring 

 comes the cattle are turned out as clean, as neat and with hair as smooth as 

 when they went in from the green pastures. 



It is a recommendation of this cattle that when become farrow, and cease 

 giving milk, they take on flesh rapidly, and soon fatten. I am told that a few 

 specimens of them are owned in Michigan by Mr. Sweet, near Grand Kapids, 

 who obtained them from the New York importers. They excited much and 

 general commendation at the last state fair. 



As meat brings a higher price in Holland than any other article of food on 

 account of an excise tax imposed upon its consumption, cattle are sold at about 

 double the rates at which they may be bought in xVmerica. 



DISCUSSION. 



Judge Marston followed the reading of the letter with some earnest remarks 

 in regard to the care of stock, calling attention to the great difference between 

 the care taken by the Hollanders and that by the farmers of Bay county. He 

 asked them to profit by the lesson taught by the narrative in the letter sub- 

 mitting that they would be greatly the gainers thereby. 



Mr. Thompson, of Detroit, followed, and spoke of several specimens of Hol- 

 stein cattle exhibited at the State fair held in Detroit last fall, from Tuscola 

 county, belonging to Messrs. Johnson & Richardson. He considered the let- 

 ter just read of great value, one of the most valuable articles on the subject 

 ever read in any agricultural society in the State. He hoped that the matter 



