GENERALITIES 



DUTCH CATTLE — THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO MASSA- 

 CHUSETTS—VALUABLE QUALITIES, ETC. 



The Dutch race of cattle have heretofore received but slight 

 notice at the hands of either American or English authors, 

 .yet I hazard the prediction that the breed is destined to be- 

 come pre-eminently the favorite in this country. Indeed, when 

 we consider the enviable reputation that the dairy stock of Hol- 

 land has so long maintained, it seems a matter of surprise that 

 our breeders have not earlier considered the importance of 

 making direct importations from that country. 



At a very early period importations of Dutch cattle were 

 made from Holland into England ; and it is admitted that this 

 blood contributed, in an important degree, to build up both 

 the Short Horn Durham, and Ayrshire breeds. The prin- 

 cipal characteristics of the Dutch breed of the present time 

 confirms this, as on examination a thorough-bred Dutch cow 

 will be found to combine, to a very remarkable extent, the 

 best qualities of both those breeds. It will be seen tliat her 

 dairy qualities are far superior to the justly celebrated Ayr- 

 shires, many of the Dutch cows producing daily in the best 

 season from 25 to 45 quarts of rich milk ; while in size, do- 

 cility, early maturity, and evident adaptation to the yoke or 

 the shambles, they are in no way inferior to the famous Short 

 Horn Durhams. 



The early Dutch settlers in the vicinity of the Hudson 

 river, in the State of New York, brought over some of the 

 Dutch race of cattle ; and about fifty years ago, an individual 

 in the State of Vermont imported a bull and cows of that 



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