FKANCE. 283 



large bones, with head rather heavy and long, the mouth large, horns 

 crumpled and white as ivory. They are of many colors, but most of 

 them are what we would call "brindle cows." I inclose a cut, which 

 will aid in forming a just estimate of their form and general appear- 

 ance. In my judgment, there are few better cows for dairy purposes 

 to bo found in any country than this Cotentin variety. 



THE NORMAN CATTLE PREFERABLE TO THE JERSEYS OR ALDERNEYS. 



The very best cows of this breed are to be found between Caen and 

 Lisieux, where they are sometimes called "vachesde pays," that is to 

 . cows of the country. I am of opinion that some of these Norman 

 cows could be imported into the United States and advantageously 

 crossed with certain American breeds. They are most excellent milk- 

 ers, of good disposition, and their milk is both abundant and rich. All 

 things considered, they are certainly to be preferred to the English 

 Jerseys or Alderneys. 



NOR3IANDY BUTTER. 



Probably no other country in the world, of like size, produces more 

 good butter than the department of Calvados. Small villages in this 

 region export to Paris large quantities of butter annually. The town 

 of Isigny alone sends nearly 6,000,000 pounds every year. Gournay 

 also sends 3,000,000 pounds. 



FRESH VS. SALTED BUTTER. 



We ahvays have the Calvados butter on our own table, and find it 

 excellent. The French do not use salt in butter, which seems rather 

 strange to an American, but I am inclined to think that our people use 

 too much salt in butter, as well as in many other articles of food. 



MILKING QUALITIES OF THE NORMAN COW. 



ATI ordinary Xmman cow will give about 20 quarts of milk per day, 

 while in some, cases extra, fine ones have been known to give 36 quarts 

 in the same length of time. 



I think it will be safe to say that an average Cotentin cow will pro- 

 duce 40 pounds of butter per month. This butter is probably worth in 

 pound the year through. 



The accompanying cuts will give a better idea of the shape and gen- 

 eral characteristics of this breed than any written description I could 



' iy gi y e. 



This race is sometimes crossed with the Durham, which certainly im- 

 proves the appearance of the stock; but many of the French people 

 believe, that tor dairy purposes, the Cotentin cows cannot be improved 

 by the admix! uiv of any other blood. 



However, iliere are those who contend that such crossing does not 

 dec: quantity or the quality of the milk. 3ome of these young 



Durham-^Toriiiaii cows with the first calf have been known to give more 

 than 20 quarts of good milk per day. 



DING AND HOUSING CATTLE IN NORMANDY. 



In summer these milch cows ferd on various kinds of grasses, includ- 

 ing red clover. They do not run :it large, as is the custom in the United 

 States, but: tl -it in ro\, M^ and carl only 



graze to the end of their t ; .-ry thing 



within reach they are moved to a new position. This process requires 



