Holstein -Friesians 67 



land and West Friesland. The name Holstein is an 



entire misnomer to this breed of cattle, so far as any 



geographical distinction is 



concerned. None of the 



ancestors of the cattle of 



this breed ever came from 



the Duchy of Schleswig- 



Holstein, although the cattle 



of these districts, and some 



other Prussian provinces, 



Fig. 6. Holstein-Fnesian cow. 



are not greatly different 



from what are known in the United States as Hol- 

 stein cattle. The proper geographical name for this 

 breed would undoubtedly be Dutch. Dutch farmers 

 have long been noted for their thrift, and the man- 

 ufacture of dairy products, particularly of cheese, 

 has been an important industry in North Holland 

 for very many years. The land is fertile and emi- 

 nently suited to the production of grass, but it is 



high priced, since it is pro- 

 tected from the encroach- 

 ment of the sea by an exten- 

 sive series of costly dykes 

 and embankments. 



In order that the Dutch 

 farmer may make dairy 

 products profitable on such 

 high-priced land, he must 



Fig. 7. Holstein-Friesian bull. . . , 



have a very efficient animal, 



and under these circumstances the Holstein cow has 

 been developed. The natural conservatism of the 



