DAIRY COWS. 193 



Crossed on the nondescript native cattle of that district, 

 they have produced a numerous progeny called the Kolmo- 

 gory breed, " remarkable for its yield of milk." * 



Every breed has limited adaptations. A breed valuable 

 in one section may not be valuable in another that differs 

 in soil, lay of territory, and wants of its inhabitants. The 

 characteristics of this breed make it specially valuble on 

 rich soils, level lands, and in densely populated districts, 

 where every product — milk, butter, cheese, beef, and veal 

 — can be utilized. In view of the law of utility the merits 

 of a breed may properly be measured by its distribution. 

 We find that this breed occupies more territory and is more 

 widely distributed than any other dairy breed. It is the 

 exclusive breed of North Holland and Friesland, " more 

 esteemed than any other in Belgium ; "f " furnishing the 

 best and most prolific cows in Germany;":}: " crossed on 

 native cattle, the favorite in St. Petersburg," § and largely 

 used in almost every dairy section of Europe outside of 

 Switzerland and Great Britain. | It is also being intro- 

 duced into South Africa, New Zealand, and several of the 

 South American states. 



Its introduction and spread in this country is one of the 

 marvels of our time. The first herd-book was published 

 in 1872 with 128 entries. The Holstein-Friesian Associa- 

 tion was formed in 1885 by the union of two others. No 

 association ever handled cattle with less subterfuge. At 

 its annual meeting, June 7, 1899, it reported 74,474 entries. 

 It also reported two hundred official butter tests during 

 the preceding year. These tests were under supervision 

 of experiment stations with a view of determining butter 

 capacity. The Babcock test was invariably used, and the 

 periods of testing were for seven consecutive days. Fifty- 

 five full-age cows yielded an average of 15.06 lbs. butter-fat, 



* U. S. Consular Reports [1886]— Cattle and Dairy Farming, p. 519. 

 t The same, p. 367. 

 i The same, pp. 398, 404. 

 § The same, p. 519. 



II Importations from the Continent prevented by severe quarantine 

 laws. 



