422 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



mals mostly being fed on straw, so that in general these cattle return 

 in a very lamentable state or condition when the grazing time com- 

 mences. For some time several of tho farmers in the Weser marshes, 

 Jeverland, and East Friesland have desisted from this old plan and 

 are finding for their cattle better and larger accommodations, and feed 

 them daring the winter with more nourishing fodder, consistingof beans, 

 cracked grain, and the different sorts of oil-cakes and rice. The rough 

 forage is used in its natural state uncut, while cabbages, turnips, &c., 

 are cut. 



The housing of the cattle during the winter corresponds with the 

 method in Holland. The feeding cribs, contrary to the method in use 

 in the south of Germany, are situated a little lower than the floor in 

 which the cattle stand, so as to give them more ease when rising. The 

 whole arrangement in the stable enables the farmer to keep the cattle 

 cleaner and clean them easier than otherwise would be the case. There 

 is, also, a considerable saving of space and litter. In the marshes the 

 calving of the cows in general takes place in the months from Ifovem- 

 ber to February, as this period is considered by all interested the most 

 favorable, as it enables the breeders to bring the young calves to the 

 grazing grounds early in spring. If brought there when younger the 

 animals would hardly be able; to withstand the inclemency of the 

 weather. The new-born calves are n6t allowed to suck at the cows. 

 The milk taken from the cows during the first three weeks only is given 

 to them. After this time they are fed on buttermilk, bread soup, to 

 accustom them gradually to a more consistent food. Cow and bull 

 calves are fed just the same. To many of our farmers in the United 

 States, this feeding may appear irrational, but experience shows that 

 calves fed in this manner progress far more favorably than those fed 

 for a longer period on milk, as these come into the pasture grounds 

 with a tender stomach and with a luxuriant layer of flesh on their car- 

 casses, which is not desired. 



The young heifers, after the completion of their second year, are led to 

 the bull. By this time these young animals have reached the develop- 

 ment particular to the cattle bred in the marshes, so that they are able 

 to support the embryo and to calve without injury to themselves. 



Bulls when thirteen to fourteen months old cover cows. It is much 

 to be regretted that for some time the breeders of these valuable ani- 

 mals when they are at their best development, sell the bulls to foreign 

 breeders without any consideration as to the want at home. The Gov- 

 ernment and the unions of the herd-book try to put a stop to this in- 

 ' jurious disposition, but without any avail. The prices paid by foreign 

 breeders being so high as to enable the proprietors of such bulls to re- 

 turn the premium they received on the condition that the animal had 

 to remain at least one year in the district for which the premium was 

 granted. 



Another factor in the breeding of the cattle in the marshes is the 

 climate, which, to those not born and bred there, appears less than 

 agreeable. The average fall of rain amounts to about 707 millimeters 

 annually. In consequence of this climate, of which the middle) tem- 

 perature in summer seldom raises over 8° Eeaumnr, together with tlie 

 more or less hardy rearing which the cattle iu the marshes must endure, 

 the latter may be classed as thoroughly sound and healthy. In no part 

 of the northerly marshes do less diseases among cattle appear than here; 

 contagious diseases, if any prevail, are brought here, and are sooner 

 extirpated than in any other district. The broad chest of these cattle 

 and their sound lungs prevent any pulmonary diseases. For a series of 



