58 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



DUTCH. 



THE climate of Holland, together with its rich and luxuriant pasturage, so moist and 

 succulent, would naturally tend to the production of cattle of a large growth of 

 animal frame, and milk-yielding capacities. We therefore find that although the 

 different races of Dutch cattle differ in some respects, there are some general characteristics 

 in them all, prominent among which are those previously mentioned, namely, large size and 

 the yielding of a large amount of milk. These cattle have long been bred in their native 

 country, which is one of the best for dairy purposes in the whole world, especially for the 

 production of milk; and when we take into consideration this fact, and the naturally favora 

 ble soil and climate which their native country affords, it is not surprising that we find the 

 Dutch cow of the present time one of the largest of milk-producers. These animals were 

 early imported by the colonists of this country, especially in New York and New Jersey, 

 and have always maintained their good reputation for large yields of milk, although the 

 quality is not quite as rich as that of some other breeds. 



With regard to the origin, varieties, etc., of these cattle we make the following extract 

 from the pen of Prof. Hengerveld, of the Royal Veterinary Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands: 



&quot;It may be taken for granted that the Dutch cattle trace their pedigree from the time 

 when the Friesians and Batavians settled on the banks of our great rivers, about one hundred 

 years before our era; they are the lineal descendants of that race of cattle. These nations were 

 engaged in fishing and in tending their herds when not compelled to serve under the Roman 

 standards. The nature of the soil at once indicated their system of agriculture, which 

 was very plain and rude their object being to get as much milk and beef as possible, while 

 the hides of their cattle were used for garments. Under the Romans, who could boast of a 

 more regular system of husbandry, they improved their farms, and the feeding and manage 

 ment of their cattle. These improvements were entirely founded upon the Roman system. 

 Several large farmhouses remain at the present time as evidences of that ancient system. 

 The old castle, with its various stables, was surrounded by kitchen gardens, woods, meadows, 

 orchards, duck ponds, moats, canals, and ditches, by farmhouses with their cow-houses and 

 barns, while the whole was enclosed when possible by some branch of a river. This is a 

 picture of an ancient Roman villa with its surroundings. It is true from that time up to the 

 present many changes have been effected and the estates are less extensive, but in the main 

 everything shows an exact imitation of the Roman villa. Observing these things, we conclude 

 that during many centuries the lodging, management, and methods of turning cattle to good 

 account have undergone but little, if any change. A continual crossing with the same breed 

 with little importation, or mixing with foreign animals, caused the original race to remain 

 unaffected by foreign influence. Only in the northeastern and in the southeastern borders of 

 our country do we meet with crosses of the German and Flemish cattle. 



It is true that sometimes inundations, cattle diseases, and wars have threatened these cat 

 tle with decrease and even destruction, but the farmers have gone on breeding with what 

 was left. About one hundred years ago, during the cattle plague, some small German cattle 

 were imported into Friesland. Their management and crossing, and the conditions of climate 

 and soil, soon caused them to possess the qualities of the native breed. The origin and purity 

 of the thoroughbred race may thus be traced back two thousand years. 



Description, etc. &quot;The form proper to this breed of cattle has proceeded from 

 and is identified with their use, lodging, feeding, and management. They have adopted a 

 type or originality peculiar to this stock, and through coupling this has become constant. 

 This bodily construction may be called the milk shape. 



Varieties. Notwithstanding the general uniformity of the Dutch cattle, we meet some- 



