116 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The Algiiuer cow is generally of a brighter color and varies 

 more. She is also of medium size, of fine bony structure, and 

 takes kindly to scanty fare. The Algiiuers have spread consid- 

 erably into some parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria, 

 where they are much esteemed for their milking qualities. 

 Many Algiiuers were on exhibition. They were gray, or silver 

 gray, for the most part, some of them yellowish gray. I saw 

 many fine Algiiuers in the barn at the Agricultural College at 

 Weihenstephan in Bavaria. 



There is a cow known as the Zilierthaler, in that part of 

 Tyrol watered by the Ziller. It is of a chestnut brown, with a 

 short, broad head, short legs, strong in the bone, wide built, 

 thick neck,, well loaded with flesh, and large dewlap. The 

 hind-quarters are fleshy, the tail thick, short, high set at the 

 root, but the body is rather snug, and beautifully rounded. 

 They give a rich milk, but not much of it, and are better adapted 

 for fattening. 



Next alongside are the Miirzthalers. They originate among 

 the Tyrolese Alps, in Styria, especially in the valley of the 

 river Miirz, in the southern part of Austria proper, but the 

 breed is widely spread, on account of its high reputation, in 

 Upper and Lower Austria, to considerable extent in Bohemia 

 and in the forest districts of Bavaria. It is found also in many 

 other locations. There can be little doubt of its original con- 

 nection with the Hungarian, though it now exhibits marked 

 differences, the whitish color passing into a bluish gray, or 

 badger color. The animals with head, neck and tail quite 

 dark, almost black, are held in the highest estimation. Tjie 

 color of a Miirzthaler cow will sometimes approach that of the 

 Algauer, being considerably lighter and more fawn-colored, 

 while they all have the light circle around the eye. The horns 

 are short and turned back, in the males, especially, very white, 

 with black tips. 



The calves all have bluish or blackish tongues. It is a mark of 

 purity considered essential. They all have the circle about the 

 eyes- They have a very small star in the forehead, long and 

 straight. The muzzle is whitish, the tail set on high enough, 

 but not so as to be a defect, the color badger gray. These are 

 among the requisites of a Miirzthaler without which she would 

 not be considered pure bred. The milking qualities are good. 



