HUNGARY. 531 



ment of food and care, are its most remarkable qualities. It is there- 

 fore specially popular in localities where food is neither plenty nor good, 

 and everywhere it receives the treatment of a "step-child" in this re- 

 spect. 



It is fond of the water and thrives best in swampy sections, will, in 

 fact, decrease in size if kept in . too dry localities. It is a very good 

 work animal where speed is not required, displaying again in this the 

 equanimity of the mule. The milk is noted for its richness. 



The Buffalo is raised, in numbers of any consequence, only on the 

 low bottom lands of the Danube, the Theiss, and the Drave, all these 

 districts being noted for their dampness. For the same reason I think ' 

 he could be practically introduced in the southern portions of the United 

 States; in Florida, for instance, where, as it is, the domestic cattle do 

 not thrive so well. 



There are also a few herds of thoroughbred Buffaloes kept up here, 

 with the object of maintaining the quality of the race. First class 

 specimens can be had for from $50 to $100. 



HOUSING AND FEEDING-. 



The usual manner of keeping the cattle here is as follows : 

 In summer they are allowed the run of the fields ; these not being 

 fenced, the animals are in charge of" herders, large herds being under 

 professional herders, whUe the women or children look after the animals 

 of the smaller farmers. 



In winter the small farmers keep their stock iu stables. The large 

 herds are kept in sheds, which are protected towards the north, while 

 the south sides are open to allow the animals the run of the adjoining 

 paddocks during day-time ; sometimes they are kept altogether unpro- 

 tected during winter, since the animal can easily stand 4J° F. below 

 zero. But all have to be fed during winter, Hungary seemingly not 

 having those grasses from which, as in our "Far West," cattle can make 

 their own living during winter. The small farmer feeds cut feed, while 

 the large herds receive straw, corn-stalks, a little corn, and poor hay. 



BREEDING IN HUNGARY. 



Inbreeding is never deviated from, crosses being altogether disquali- 

 fied as breeding stock. 



The bull is permitted to run with the herd in March, remaining with 

 it three or four months. Calves begin to be dropped in January, and 

 it is claimed that those which are dropped on the snow are the hardiest 

 and best. 



Breeding begins with the third year, the bull being considered fully 

 capable until his ninth, and the cow until her thirteenth, year. 



Working cattle are broken in at four, and remain fully fit for work 

 during eight, years. 



For fattening they are considered ripe at four, but are at their best 

 when seven, years old. 



HUNGARIAN BUTTER AND CHEESE MAKING. 



The country consumes much milk and sweet cream, not so much 

 butter being used for the table as in the United States. The people 

 are very exacting as to the quality of these things, and use only sweet 



