FRANCE. 255 



from the Holland breed, but some claim is made that it came from the 

 race Garonnaise, a large number of which were exported to England. 

 However this may be, there is some foundation in the precocity of the 

 race, which does not equal that of the Durham ; but the aim is attended 

 with success to improve this race, and, like the Charolais, Garonnais, 

 and the Durham-Manceaux, to rival the Durham in returns of meat, 

 without impairing their working capacity. 



CENSUS OF THE GARONNAIS. 



The number of this breed occupying the vast and fertile valley of the 

 Garonne is about 400,000 head, spread over 4,200,000 acres of land. The 

 number of these animals is increasing and their condition sensibly im- 

 proved from year to year. 



THE BAZADAISE BREED. 



On approaching the railway station at Laugon, between Bordeaux 

 and Bay on lie, we invariably see in the summer small clumsy carts, with 

 low wheels, laden with pine wood, and drawn by animals which we 

 recognize with difficulty, on account of their droll trappings, as oxen. 



The head, quite large, appears larger in consequence of a species of 

 head-gea* made of sheep-skin, which entirely protects it and shades it 

 from the sun in that warm latitude. A sort of shirt of coarse cloth 

 covers closely and protects the animal against the bites of flies and 

 other insects. This curious clothing and intelligent care evince the 

 proper and just appreciation of the inhabitants of the Landes toward 

 the beasts which serve and feed them. There is no occasion there for 

 a society for the protection of animals. 



This race derives its name from that of the charming little city of 

 Bazas, in the extremity of the department of the Gironde. The soil 

 about Bazas is more fertile than that in the districts of Mont-de-Marsau 

 and Dux, which explains the difference between the two neighboring 

 races, the race Bazadaise and the race Landaise, although these 

 races have many points of resemblance. The oxen are often submitted 

 to long journeys over paved roads, attached to heavy carts. They toil 

 along these dusty roads under a burning sun, and bear up well under 

 it. The ox-driver takes the best possible care of his cattle, and never 

 strikes them. They march along at their ease; he excites them by 

 words, speeches, and even pleasantries, and a particular song, on hear- 

 ing which the ox redoubles his efforts. 



Farmers and butchers at Bordeaux and Paris are unanimous in their 

 praises of this breed. The superiority of the flesh of the Limousins 

 and Salers is attributable to the fact that these breeds are usually 

 worked very lightly, or about enough to pay for their feed, while the 

 Bazadais does not only agricultural but commercial work. At the 

 south the cows are worked more than the oxen by the farmers. The 

 horse of the Landes is small, light, delicate, excitable, fiery, indefatiga- 

 ble in running about the country, but incapable of working the land or 

 carrying heavy loads. Breton or Boulonnais horses, if substituted, ac- 

 customed to good, rich food, would be expensive. Oxen are more con- 

 venient, economical, and therefore in general use. The ox, however, 

 fattens easily, and gives a good return of 60 per cent, or more. 



There have been few attempts to cross this race, while great strides 

 have been made in their amelioration by 'selection. 



