276 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



similate the calcareous salts contained in the pastures. If the Bazadaig 

 ox is really endowed with the faculty of tl easily making" bones, ifc would 

 be a useful importation into countries the soil of which is too poor in 

 calcareous salts to properly feed beasts of burden ; and, on the other 

 hand, if it was imported into countries the soil of which would supply 

 abundant calcareous salts, the frame might be, in the course of time, 

 developed to a great size and power. 



The Bazadais grazing grounds. The altitude of the country in which 

 that breed is raised is 270 feet above the level of the sea. Ifc is com- 

 posed of fiat grounds, with little valleys, where spring many calcareous 

 waters. The mean temperature is 62 F. in summer, 69 ; in winter, 

 43. The soil belongs to the superior miocene formation, characterized 

 by the shell-marls, containing all the varieties of cerites with yellow 

 conchiferous sands and yellow or gray clay, often characterized by the 

 Ostrea undata and Ostrea crispata. The ground is undulated and varied. 

 On the same farm clay, sand, gravel, limestone, &c., are met with. The 

 underground is as varied as the arable ground ; it is composed of clay, 

 flint, stone, and limestone, but is not deep. 



The culture is biennial first year wheat and rye, second year corn, 

 potatoes, beet-root, and spring forage ; besides every farm has about 

 one-third of its extent in artificial meadows. 



THE BORDELAIS CATTLE. 



Description. Black and white (piebald). Bull, 4 feet 6 inches ; cow, 

 4 feet 2 inches high. Hind quarters developed as compared to the fore 

 quarters; thin limbs; small bones; angular forms ; pelvis very wide ; 

 neck thin and almost fieshless ; head fine ; horns thin, black, bent for- 

 ward, and often rough; udder expanded without being fleshy; milk 

 abundant. 



Qualities of the Gironde Bordelais. This breed was imported into the 

 Gironde many years ago, for dairy purposes solely, being the result of 

 crossing between the breeds of Brittany and Holland ; it was and is still 

 maintained by constant importations of Dutch bulls. It can hardly bo 

 called a breed, as it does not reproduce itself exactly. It is compara- 

 tively scarce, being used only for the dairy. Of the Brittany cow, from 

 which it originates, cut 22, gives a pretty correct idea of it. The female 

 only is known and described, as the young males are sold for the stall. 

 Tbo bulls and cows when too old to breed are sent to the slaughter- 

 houses, but the meat is of inferior quality. The weight of the cow is 

 about 500 pounds when at maturity, 4 years old ; it is then sold at from 

 880 to $100. The price of the bulf is $80 j after two years 7 service he is 

 sold to the butcher. 



The Bordelais as milkers. This is the only breed which provides the 

 department of the Gironde with milk. After calving the cows give 4J 

 gallons of milk n, day for one month. Afterwards it gradually goes down 

 to 2 gallons. The average quantity given by one of these cows amounts 

 to about tioO gallons per annum, with a proportion of 2.90 per cent, of 

 butter and 3,35 per cent, of dry caseine. 



The Bordelais not suitable for exportation. The Bordelais could not 

 be profitably exported (1) because it degenerates if not renewed by 

 frequent crossing; (2) because as a milker it is not so good as the 

 Normandy cow. 



The Brazing-grounds of the Bordelais. The altitude of the country is 

 about 150 feet above sea-level. 



It is generally composed of flat and undulating ground. The arable 

 Boil is composed of clay, pebble, limestone, and sand. The mean tern- 



