BODY CHARACTERISTICS 47 



grains but slightly. Upon these moist, rank pastures the cows 

 are pastured in summer. They are not permitted to roam 

 about, however, as in this country, but are tethered out. This 

 system of feeding and handling is ideal for the production of 

 bodily size and a quiet disposition. The grass literally grows 

 up before thehl and after them. Milking is done in the field 

 by the dairy maids, rather than fatigue the cows by walking 

 them to a stable. They are likewise protected from chilling 

 rains and from flies by blankets. An abundance of succulent 

 feed, close at hand, and a protection from all adverse conditions, 

 — these are the circumstances which naturally make for size of 

 animal, quiet disposition and an abundant flow of milk, although 

 of medium to low fat grade. 



Great care is taken to rear breeding stock from the best 

 animals only, since the land is valued at from $1000 to $2000 

 per acre, and brings an annual rental of $30 to $50 per acre. 

 Under such conditions only the genuinely profitable animals 

 will be kept. Surplus calves are fatted for veal. To do this 

 most economically the little animals are kept in crates in order 

 that they may not run about and waste any of the milk that has 

 been fed them. They are also kept in semi-darkness in order 

 that the gain may be more economically made. 



Body Characteristics — -The color of the liolstein-Eriesian 

 in this country is always black and white. Very rarely, indeed, 

 a red and white animal is dropped from pure parents, but it is 

 not eligible to registry. The size is large. A mature cow 

 should weigh 1300 pounds, and not infrequently individuals 

 attain 1500 and occasionally lYOO pounds. A mature bull of 

 this breed (Fig. 16) should weigh at least 1800 pounds, and 

 2200 or 2400 pounds are not infrequent in fully matured 

 animals. The disposition of the Holsteins, as a breed, is very 

 mild, in fact, they are so quiet as to be one of the easiest breeds 

 to handle. They are not resentful. They are greedy, almost 

 voracious, in their eating habits and naturally they are not as 

 particular in regard to the condition of their feed as are some of 

 the more sensitive breeds. The calves weigh ninety pounds or 

 more at birth and are easy to raise. As a breed they are com- 



