288 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



for and feeding them. In some sections of Holland " they 

 are found on lands covered with water plants and grass of 

 small nutritive value." In northern Russia they are 

 successfully kept in the frigid climate near the Arctic 

 circle. The only hard-and-fast rule for feeding is : 

 " Feed abundantly well-balanced rations." The breeders 

 in Holland and Friesland confine their cattle in their 

 stables constantly from the middle of November through 

 the winter till the middle of May, apparently without 

 injury to them, at much less expense of food and with 

 greater production of milk than results from the practice 

 of daily exposure to the outside atmosphere, as in 

 America. Their method requires, however, much greater 

 air space per animal, and hence that they be confined in 

 much larger buildings. - 



320. Distribution. This race of cattle is widely dis- 

 tributed on the continent of Europe, prevailing especially 

 in northern France and along the shores of the English 

 Channel and the North sea, as far as Denmark. It is the 

 leading dairy breed in Russia, occupying the shores of 

 the River Dwina and the White sea nearly to the Arctic 

 circle. It is firmly established in nearly every province 

 of Germany, in Italy, Sweden and Denmark. It is also 

 bred in South Africa, and is being introduced into Japan 

 and China. Introduced into the United States less than 

 sixty years ago, it has spread to every important dairy 

 section of this country and to Canada, and more recently 

 to Mexico. It is especially adapted to rich, level grass- 

 lands and to densely populated, highly civilized countries 

 in which milk and its every product, and veal of superior 

 quality, are in demand. 



321. Organizations and records. Organizations for 

 the promotion of the interests of this breed were closely 



