CHAPTER XXXIX 



THE FRENCH CANADIAN 



The native home of French Canadian cattle is in the province 

 of Quebec, Canada. The country is somewhat undulating and 

 rough, though not mountainous, and excellent crops of grass, oats, 

 barley, potatoes, and roots are grown. The winters are rather 

 long and cold, with much snow, the summers short and cool. 



The origin of the French Canadian breed is claimed to be from 

 stock brought from France to Quebec by the early settlers, prior 

 to 1665. No definite information is on record as to just where 

 these cattle came from in France, but it is presumed that they 

 came from Brittany and perhaps Normandy. For two hundred 

 years or more their descendants have been bred in Quebec 

 without essential admixture of other blood. 



Characteristics of French Canadian cattle. In type there is 

 considerable resemblance to the Channel Island breeds, especially 

 the Jersey. The color is solid black, or black with a yellow fawn 

 stripe along the back and around the muzzle, brown brindle, or 

 brown with black points. The black type of males is preferred. 

 The horns are generally curved outward and then in, with the 

 tips turned toward each other. The color of horn is white with 

 black tip. In size the mature female weighs from 700 to 800 

 pounds, and the bull about 1000. They often, however, weigh 

 less than this. In general conformation one is impressed with 

 a certain roughness and angularity of form, after the more 

 angular Jersey type. In quality they show a mellow hide, and a 

 rich yellow skin, notable for its high orange-yellow color within 

 the ear and about the udder. A fine silky coat of hair is an 

 important indication of quality. "The chief points of these 

 cattle," says C. N. Lepter of Quebec, "from a dairyman's point 

 of view, are that they have large udders and teats placed far 

 apart and pointing in front." 



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