254 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



THE GARONNE BREED. 



The race Agenaise, or Garonnaise, is found in tlie valley of the Ga- 

 ronne, between Toulouse and Bordeaux, an extent of about 60 leagues. 



This is one of the finest, largest, and strongest breeds of France, and 

 well adapted to the portion of the country which it occupies. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GARONNAISE. 



The oxen of this breed measure 5 feet 8 inches at the withers, and 

 even more, and weigh 2,300 pounds, while the cows only measure 4 feet 8 

 inches and weigh 770 pounds. This race is not faultless, being consid- 

 ered as having the brisket contracted behind the shoulders, the horns 

 long and pointed towards the ground, and the back hollow. This latter 

 is, however, partially overcome in some animals. 



FEEDING IN THE GARONNE. 



The animals of the high land are fed with a certain parsimony, while 

 a model style of food is provided for those in the valleys. A constant 

 succession of artificial forage, fresh and green, is afforded from 15th 

 March to the 15th of November. From the- 15th of March to the 15th 

 of April green rye is fed and mixed with cut straw. This grain, sown 

 in October on a well manured soil, furnishes at the end of winter a nour- 

 ishing and healthy food. From the 15th of April to the 1st of May, 

 before the blossoming, barley sown in November and later is fed. From 

 the 1st of May to the 15th of June these grasses are replaced by dry 

 fodder; red clover, green and dry, constitutes a portion of their food. 



From the 15th of August, for the clover, a mixture of vetches and oats, 

 sown at intervals, affords refreshing nourishment during the extremely 

 heated season. Towards the middle of August the corn fodder is 

 ready and lasts till the middle of November. The corn is sown in the 

 spring upon the same ground from which the rye and barley had been 

 cut in the spring. Eleven-fortieths of an acre sown in corn will support 

 two cows for two months. This crop is valued at $3 to $3.50. The 

 leaves and seeds of millet are utilized. These are carefully gathered, 

 and if the other fodder is sufficient, are not drawn upon till winter. 

 During the four months of winter the main dependence is upon red 

 clover, the Holland clover straw, and hay ; but few roots are cultivated 

 in this part of France for fodder. 



THE GARONNAIS OX. 



The Garonnais ox, of large and solid build, is not only used before the 

 carts of the country, but can be seen at Bordeaux slowly trailing heavily 

 laden carts for the loading and discharge of vessels. 



In the way of fattening and early maturity the ox merits attention. 

 At the recent Paris exhibition many could be seen which were precocious 

 and of good size, giving good returns of meat in regard to quality and 

 quantity. 



THE GARONNAIS CROSS-BREEDS. 



A single cross-breed Garonnais, being Limousin-Garonnais, was ex- 

 hibited and appeared well. There appears no good reason why these 

 races, both remarkable for working and meat, should not assimilate 

 readily. The best accredited opinion is that the Durham race is descended 



