50 HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN 



entirety, the Holstein cow is one of the most powerful and 

 valuable dairy machines. 



Beef Characteristics. — Since the laws of animal breeding 

 are but poorly known by any one and are difficult of control by 

 the best, we must expect that as variations occurred and in- 

 dividual preferences varied, the stock even in the older countries, 

 should vary somewhat in their intensity of dairy type. In some 

 descriptions of the breeds four forms have been recognized, 

 namely: the milk form, the milk and beef form, the beef and 

 milk form, and the beef form. The Holsteins, however, are not 

 first-rate beef animals since they are of slow maturity, com- 

 paratively heavy of bone and seldom place the gain either where 

 it will be most valuable or in the most valuable condition when 

 rightly placed. Although the prejudice on the part of buyers 

 has doubtless caused a greater difference in price than the actual 

 difference in carcass would warrant, it must be admitted that a 

 general difference exists. A Holstein steer will gain in weight 

 as rapidly and as cheaply as any animal, however, and will be 

 but little less profitable than beef-bred steers. Grade Holstein 

 bull calves make a good grade of veal and since they weigh from 

 90 to 100 pounds at birth, they may very readily be made to 

 weigh 190 to 200 pounds at eight to nine weeks of age. 



Introduction to America — The first importation of cattle 

 from Holland occim-ed in 1609, or soon thereafter, upon the 

 settlement of l\ew Amsterdam, now New York, by the Dutch. 

 Other consignments were received for the Dutch holdings 

 farther west in the state, but all these animals were not kept 

 pure. They formed, however, the foundation stock for that 

 section of the country and to-day ISTew York state may be said to 

 be the Holstein center of the United States. Others were 

 brought over in 1795 and added to the general stock of the 

 country. The first to be imported and kept pure arrived in 

 1861 in Massachusetts. From 1875 to 1885 about 10,000 were 

 imported. From 1885 until 1903 few, if any, came over, partly 

 because of the presence, in Holland, of the foot and mouth disease 

 and partly because of the high charges for the registration of the 

 imported animals. 



