RUSSIA. 523 



RUSSIAN CATTLE. 



Russia possesses more cattle than any other country in Europe, but 

 is surpassed in this respect by both the United States and South Amer- 

 ica. Of the many native breeds lew if any are worthy particular notice. 

 The Cholmogory, originally a cross between Dutch cattle and a native 

 breed of Archangel, is the best known race. It dates from Peter the 

 Great's time, is used for improving other native breeds, and is kept up 

 by constant import of Dutch bulls. The breed is mainly owned by 

 peasants. 



With regard to cattle Russia may be divided into three zones, the 

 northern, southern, and southeastern. In the first cattle are kept 

 chiefly for dairy purposes and manure. The breeds kept are native, 

 often crossed with foreign breeds, are small in stature, and not particu- 

 larly large milkers. The Russian races develop slowly and possess on 

 the average from 7 to 8 poods of coarse, unsavory meat. West Russian 

 and Cholmogorian cattle weigh from 17 to 20 poods. 



In the second zone cattle are kept as beasts of burden and for their 

 meat. They are largely exported , and, though poor milkers, are esteemed 

 for their meat and as workers. 



In the southeastern zone oriental breeds are kept chiefly for their 

 meat and tallow. . They yield less meat than those of the southern zone 

 and are poor milkers. 



PICTURES OF RUSSIAN CATTLE. 



Under date of December 5, 1884, Consul-General Stanton transmitted 

 to the Department sixty photo-lithographs of Russian cattle, which were 

 supplied by the director of aguriculture in St. Petersburg. These pict- 

 ures represent cattle in the northern and central groops only and in Fin- 

 land, viz: 



Northern group. Government of Archangel, four representing cows 

 of the " Cholmogorian" breed and four of unspecified cattle; Govern- 

 ment of Vologda, seven cows and seven oxen, evidently of the common 

 breeds of the country. 



Central group. Government of Perm, nine cows, five of which are 

 hornless, and all evidently the common scrub race of the country. 

 Government of Yiatka, five cows, fully as inferior as those of Perm, 

 and evidently of the same breed. Government of Kostroma, fifteen 

 cows and three bulls. One of the cows is designated " native cow;" 

 the others are not designated. All are superior looking animals to 

 those of Perm and Viatka. Government of Yarosloff, four cows seem- 

 ingly the same breed as those of Kostoma. 



Finland. A cow and bull, breed not designated. They would seem, 

 however, to be a cross between the Finnish and Ayrshire cattle, which, 

 according to the report from Helsingfors, would seem to constitute a 

 large portion of the cattle of Finland. 



As it would serve no practical purpose to publish the sixty engrav- 

 ings of Russian cattle which accompanied Consul-General Stanton's 

 report, selections are herewith given, which, with the cuts of Polish 

 cattle given with the report by Consul Rawicz, of Warsaw, will, it is 

 thought, fairly represent the breeds of the Empire. 



