418 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



wanted by breeders and buyers of the interior of Germany, the United 

 States, Italy, and France, who in many instances pay prices double the 

 amount that may be obtained in the ordinary way of disposing of the 

 overproduce. 



The cattle raised in the Geestland are, as before stated, not of any 

 consequence for breeding purposes. In stature they are small, or rather 

 insignificant, although it is not to be denied that they possess good 

 milking qualities. Breeders exert themselves to improve their cattle 

 by importing bulls from the province of Drenthe, in Holland, and it is 

 stated that the result obtained by the cross-breeding has been very sat- 

 isfactory, although the lightness and sterility of the soil do not assist 

 them in producing such cattle as their endeavors deserve. 



SUPERIORITY OF THE OLDENBURG CATTLE FOR EXPORT. 



For exportation to the United States, the Oldenburg cattle raised on 

 the Weser marshes must be put down as one of the best qualified races. 

 To all parts of Europe, to the south of Germany, Prussia, east and west, 

 Kussia, Galicia, and even to the Sandwich Islands, these cattle have 

 been exported. To Galicia last year there were exported thirty-eight 

 head of exquisite registered cattle, destined to serve there as the com- 

 mencement of breeding this race pure. Those cattle were bought here 

 by a commission of the Royal Agricultural Society, at Lemberg. For 

 this year the exportation, including the number bought by this commis- 

 sion and private estate holders, not obtainable, is said to be still larger. 

 For several years the cross-breeding with the Shorthorn race was more 

 prominent here, but since the laws of Great Britain prohibited the ex- 

 portation of live cattle to the English ports, the farmers have relaxed 

 in favoring this race, and returned to the pure Oldenburg breed, much 

 to their own satisfaction and profit. 



PRODUCT AND EXPORT OF MARSH CATTLE. 



To compare the production and export in the Weser marshes I repeat 

 here the result of the census taken thereof on the 10th of January, 1883. 

 This census was taken at a very unfavorable time, when all salable 

 beasts had been disposed of and the new production had not refilled 

 the place : 



In the present year the demand for cattle for breeding purposes has 

 been more active, in consequence of which the stock of first rate cattle 

 is rather low and prices rule higher than before. Last year the medium 

 price for non-registered bulls of one and a half to two years was $100 

 to $125 ; for elder animals of this sex, $150. Cows, delivered from two 

 to four calves, cost $100 to $125. Heifers, according to quality, $100 to 

 $225. Bull calves, $60. Cow calves, $45 to $55. For registered cattle 



