SWITZERLAND. 289 



Whether the Spotted or the Brown Schwyzer race of cattle is superior, 

 and, on the whole, most profitable for the Swiss farmer, is a long dis- 

 puted and still unsettled point, concerning which the inquiring visitor 

 who consults cattle growers and dealers in the various cantons will re- 

 ceive some very positive and adverse opinions. 



This much appears to be clear and beyond dispute, the Brown race 

 is best adapted to the hill and mountain districts, and the heavier Spotted 

 race to the valleys. The reasons for this will be readily apparent from 

 a description of the two races. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE BERNESE (SIMMENTIIAL) CATTLE. 



I. The cattle of this species prevail throughout the whole of Western 

 Switzerland, from the valleys of the Bernese Obcrland, where the purity 

 of the stock is best preserved, to the slopes of the Jura, along the front- 

 ier of France. It is among the largest and noblest of European breeds, 

 the average weight of the oxen ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 pounds, and 

 a cow exhibited at Lucerne in 1881 having attained a weight of 2,494 

 pounds. This was, of course, an exceptional case, the average weight 

 of thoroughbred Simmeuthal and Saanenthal cows being about 1,400 

 pounds, though many choice herds average 1,700 pounds, and cows of 

 1,000 and 2,000 pounds weight are not uncommon. 



The color is white, marked with large, irregular, arid sharply defined 

 spots or bars of red, yellow, or. drab color. The color of these spots is a 

 matter of fancy among breeders, in respect to which the mode changes 

 from time to time. At present the light, yellowish-red tint is most pre- 

 ferred, and animals so marked command the highest prices. The other 

 distinctive marks of this species are a small, well-formed head, light- 

 red or white nose, large nostrils and mouth, small white or yellowish 

 horns with brown tips, and gentle, kindly eyes. The- neck is fine, that 

 of the bull having a marked upward curve between horns and shoul- 

 ders. The back is straight and broad, the tail long and thin, the legs 

 round and well formed, small in proportion to the size of the animal, 

 but muscular and strong, with white or yellowish-brown hoofs and dew- 

 claws. The skin is smooth and the hair fine, glossy, and soft. In char- 

 acter this species is gentle, tractable, and easily managed, not over fas- 

 tidious as to its food, but it requires good care, kind treatment, and 

 warm stabling to develop its best capacities for milk, labor^ or flesh- 



making. 



THE BERNESE AS WORKING CATTLE. 



As a working animal it is asserted by good authorities that the 

 Bernese stands first among the cattle breeds of Europe, and it is easy 

 to accept this estimate as fully justified by the facts. Its powerful 

 frame, alert, active temperament, tractable disposition, and great en- 

 durance make it a model working ox, and most of the farm draft- 

 labor of Central and Western Switzerland is performed by cattle of this 

 breed ; even the cows being used for such light work as hauling hay, 

 bringing milk to market, drawing manure, &c. 



THE BERNESE (SIMMENTHAL) AS MILKERS. 



As milkers the Spotted cows stand in the front rank. At Roseck, 



the insane asylum of canton Soleure, I have seen a herd of twenty choice 



cows, kept by the cantonal government to supply the asylum with 



milk. From careful records, kept by Superintendent Marti, it appears 



H. Ex. 51 19 



