HOLLAND. 505 



IMPROVEMENT OF BREEDS BY TRANSFERENCE TO FOREIGN HOMES. 



As to foreign and imported breeds producing in their new homes 

 offspring superior to that produced by the same breed in their orig- 

 inal homes, and that this superiority is more marked in the succeeding 

 than in the first generation, it is contrary to and not borne out by the 

 experience of farmers and cattle-breeders in this country. 



The possibility of such results being attainable is not gainsaid or 

 questioned here, but it is held that to attain such results requires the 

 existence of various and most favorable conditions, which, in certain 

 parts of the United States or in other countries, may obtain, but they 

 do not seem to obtain in this country, or if they do they have as yet 

 not been discovered 



Efforts have been made, time and again, in different sections of Hol- 

 land, by many of the most practical and experienced farmers and stock- 

 breeders, to improve still further, if possible, native breeds by crossing 

 them with best breeds brought in from. England and elsewhere, and so 

 has inbreeding of such best imported breeds been tried quite as often 

 and by many parties in many places, but with almost the invariable 

 result in both cases of finding in the offspring certain deterioration or 

 degeneracy, so that inbreeding of such imported stock as a practice 

 is abandoned, whilst experiment, from time to time, has not wholly 

 ceased. 



It must not be understood, however, and as is explained to me, that 

 the offspring of such imported breeds showed inferiority in all particu- 

 lars ; on the contrary in many cases the offspring of such foreign breeds 

 showed superiority in one or in another respect as compared with same 

 breeds in their original homes, but, as a rule, they proved inferior in 

 more essential particulars, and therefore the importation, breeding, and 

 raising of such foreign cattle, no matter how fine the breed, has gener- 

 ally been unprofitable. 



BEST DUTCH CATTLE FOR EXPORT. 



With reference to the question as to "the best animals to export," I 

 believe that in stating what Mr. Amersfoord says in relation thereto will 

 be the best answer I can make. 



He says, in substance, this : 



AVo who, in this country, may reasonably claim to be thoroughly conversant with 

 this matter, consider and always recommend animals one year old*to be the best for 

 export purposes; for milk breeds we recommend the North Holland and Frisian, 

 and for both milk and beef the Groninger, which, in fact, deserves to be called the 

 "Hereford" of Holland, and is generally conceded to be one of the noblest breeds of 

 cattle to be mot with anywhere. 



PRICES OF DUTCH CATTLE. 



Regarding " the purchasing prices of the animals" it is hardly prac- 

 ticable to speak in positive terms. 



The prices paid for thoroughbred stock vary so greatly at all times 

 and seem to be contingent upon such a variety of circumstances that 

 it appears to bo difficult to determine what really is the regular price 

 or fixed market value at any time. 



During the summer last past when cattle of this class commanded, 



