HUNGARY. 529 



The horns of the cow are exceptionally short. 



As a race the "White cattle" belong to the group "Bos taurus primi- 

 genius," commonly called "Podolian" and it exists more particularly in 

 Eastern Europe. Although the animal here in Hungary is not consid- 

 ered quite perfect as yet, it is claimed that, of the race, those here have 

 thus far reached the highest state of perfection, and the systematic 

 breeding applied will no doubt soon develop the perfect animal. 



Meat and labor qualities. — The qualities mainly recommending it are 

 two ; capacity for fattening andthe quantity and quality of meat produced, 

 and their great usefulness as working animals. The latter quality 

 makes them especially valuable here where the ox is the principal 

 motor, and I think that this should equally recommend them to the 

 " Far West" of the United States, where the breaking up of the new soil 

 makes the steady, heavy work of the ox more practical than the light, 

 quick work of the horse. As a sample I am informed that a pair of oxen 

 will easily plow about IJ acres of land 6 inches deep per day. As to 

 their fattening capacity I must add the caution that the animal does not 

 mature as rapidly as that of some other races. 



The " White cattle" is raised in all parts of Hungary, since it prospers 

 on every class of soil; the poor sandy, the peat and clay, or the rich- 

 est alluvial. For localities at an elevation of more than 3,500 feet above 

 sea level the animal is not adapted. It is, therefore, found more partic- 

 ularly where grain production is practiced, thus enabling it to be made 

 useful as a draft animal, while being also near the distilleries for fatten- 

 ing. 



Description. — In the physical description accompanying this report 

 the good average animal is spoken of. 



The color is a silvery white or gray, with black mouth and nostrils, and 

 the tail ending in a long black tassel. Animals of a pure white color 

 with a pinky mouth are found occasionally, but these are not popular 

 owing to their sensitiveness to the influence of the weather. The head 

 is small, the line of the forehead straight and covered with a more or less 

 thick and soft thft of hair ; the nose is slightly rounded, ' The head of 

 the bull is more massive, with coarser outlines, the hair a little darker 

 and more inclined to curl. 



The immense and beautiful horns grow a little horizontal from the sides 

 of the head before they curve up and outward; many specimens over a 

 meter in length are found, those a yard long being quite common. Per- 

 fection in the correct shape of the horns is highly valued, this being one 

 of the signs of purity of race. Besides the horns have a commercial 

 value as a substitute for whalebone, and, when properly mounted, make 

 beautiful articles of decoration. Altogether the head gives the animal 

 quite a noble, majestic appearance. 



The eyes face rather outwardly, are very large, black, almond-shaped, 

 lively, and frequently more fiery than desired. 



The ears are firm, reasonably hairy, and point sidewise, not droop- 

 ing. 



The neck is broad, carried high, and is from 10 to 15 per cent, longer 

 than the head, measuring each from the line of the forehead. 



The back is long, broad, and very muscular, sway-backed or otherwise 

 poorly shaped animals being rarely "^et with; the croup is broad and 

 strong ; the tail is also strong. 



The sides of the beast are broad, long, and deep, in consequence of 

 which the chests have extra large dimensions, which, with their very 

 capable lungs, cause the animal to be so specially well adapted as draft 

 animals. 



H. Ex. 51 34 



