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the Netherlands, but, as milkers, surpass any breed of cattle in Europe, the celebrated 
Swiss stock of Bern and Saéne not excepted. . Necessarily it follows that they are to 
be preferred to the Holstein, Oldenburg, Breitenburg, aud all other so-called marsh or 
polder breeds of those countries. They yield more abundantly, and their milk is of a 
richer quality, while, as beef-cattle, they show a less angular frame and finer tissues. 
“When transferred to Duteh pastures, the above-named polder breeds improve 
wonderfully in every respect, although they never equal the native stock either as beef- 
cattle, or milkers. J may here add that, in former days, the Northmen were in the 
habit of shipping cattle from the marslies to the rich meadows of Holland for fattening 
purposes, but at no time did importations take place with a view to the improvement 
of Dutch stock.” 
At the present day, cattle importations from those countries to Holland are of rare 
occurrence. Now and then the Dutch farmer, in order to supply the increasing demand 
for cattle, effects a foreign purchase; but that he considers the imported inferior to 
the native stock is evident from the fact that he brings the former to market in pref- 
erence to the latter. The English demand for Dutch beef-cattle is very heavy. 
Of Holstein and Schleswick cattle there are many. varieties, how many would be diffi- 
cult to determine, their distinguishing qualities, as in Holland, depending on the 
circumstance whether they are bred on the lowlands or on the higher sections of the 
country. The original lowland breeds, however, have much in common with Dutch 
cattle as found in the provinces of North Holland and Friesland. The prevailing color 
of Schleswick cattle is red and white. 
Of late pure Holstein and Schleswick breeds are more rarely tobe found. Toimprove 
their natural coarseness of frame, rnggedpess and boniness, in short, to enhance “their 
value as beef-cattle, they have within the last twenty years been largely crossed with 
Durham stock, the massive fat and flesh layers of the latter, and the heavy, broad 
hind quarters of the former, offering the required elements for such improvement. The 
crosses thus obtained mature earlier, but generally lose about 30 per cent. in the yield 
of milk. 
In conclusion, permit me to add a description of what a Dutch farmer would call a 
“beste koe,” (best cow.) It presents, if such a term may be used in this connection, 
the Dutch beau-ideal of a-cow, and I am indebted for it to Mr. W. Sluis, one of the best- 
informed cattle-breeders of the Beemster: ; 
“A ‘beste koe’ must show a finely molded head; large nostrils; thin, ¢ransparent 
horns; a clear, bright eye; thin, large, and not excessively wrinkled eyelids; rose- 
colored inner membranes of the eye; purely red lachrymal glands; a kind, mild coun- 
tenance; blue nose; thin neck; free respiration ; fine bones; well-formed body, with 
rather broad hind parts; straight back; long, thin tail; round but moderately bent 
ribs ; developed belly ; stout, yet not heavy legs ; smooth joints, thin, mellow, movable 
skin ; soft hair; delicately haired broad and drooping udder; four well-formed, dark- 
colored teats; well-developed milk and blood vessels; vessels on the belly and about 
the udder to be proportionately broad and vigorous, and of a wen-like swell, and the 
vessels of the udder and inner hans to spread net-like, the openings through which 
the milk and blood vessels enter the body to be large and roomy. A cow thus formed 
is also apt to show a perfect escutcheon.” 
From Mr. Sluis I also learned why the Dutch farmer prefers black and white to 
white and black cattle, namely, because it is the general belief that cattle with too 
much white about them do not endure cold as well as those with which black is the 
predominating color. As another Dutch notion, I may mention the prejudice enter- 
tained against bulls that carry black spots on the ponch, or on the hocks. I failed to 
be enlightened as to the reason of this prejudice, although at ecattle-exhibitions it 
happened that otherwise unobjectionable animals were rejected by the judges on this 
account. 
And now I bid farewell to the subject. Enough, I trust, has been said in the foregoing 
pages to assign the proper places, In the world of cattle, to Dutch and Holstein dairy- 
stock. If my remarks may guide one or the other of American cattle-breeders in the 
selection of imported dairy-stock, I have not labored in vain. 
UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Amsterdam, August 9, 1872. 
