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IOWA DEPAKTMEKT OF AGEICULTURE. 



DUTCH-BELTED CATTLE. 



BY PROF. R. il. WASHBURN. COLUMBIA, MO., IN SUCCESSFUL FARMING. 



The Dutch-Belted cattle originated in Holland some time prior to the 

 17th century. They are the outcome of scientific breeding and selecting^ 

 carried on through many generations. The name is derived from the 

 peculiar marking of the animal, she being all black save for a broad 

 band or belt of pure white which encircles her body. 



There are so few of these cattle, and, these few owned by the nobilitj 

 of Holland, that they are not well known either in this country or in 

 Europe. The first recorded importation to this country was made in 1838 

 by D. H. Haight of Goshen, N. Y. Their distribution has been slow and 



David Harum No. 393. Prize winning: Dutch Belted Bull at St. Louis Exposi- 

 tion owned by J. W. Swab, Findlay, uhio. 



southward rather than north because of their lack of pronounced hardi- 

 hood. Though ^probably related to the Holstein and resembling her in 

 most respects she is not so large and not so free a milker. She is a fair 

 grazer on good pasture but lacks that independence and vigor which marks 

 the Ayrshire and Brown Swiss. 



When crossed upon native stock they show their strong breeding by 

 marking the young with the white band. They cannot be said to be 

 good feeders nor are they strong breeders. They seem to have been 

 refined to the point of injury to their constitution. Tho' a fairly good 

 dairy cow on rich pastures it is doubtful if they will ever become popular 

 in this country. 



