126 BREEDS OF CATTLE 



While their history is not so well known as that of some 

 breeds, it is said that about 1750 a Dutch nobleman con- 

 ceived the idea of breeding cattle that would be black in 

 color with white belts around the middle of the body, and 

 from his foundation the breed was perfected. They were 

 first brought to America about 1840, when P. T. Barnum, 

 the great circus man, imported a few to take with his 

 show. After 1850 there were no more importations, the 

 principal reason being that they were difficult to obtain, 

 which accounts for their scarcity in this country at the 

 present time. 



Characteristics. — In size these cattle are medium, mature 

 bulls weighing up to 2000 pounds, and mature cows weigh- 

 ing from 900 to 1300 pounds. In type they are of the 

 dairy conformation. They have good dispositions, and 

 make good dairy cows. While they have not secured any 

 great milk records, they are economical producers and do 

 well on rough hilly land. 



FRENCH-CANADIAN CATTLE 



History. — This breed of cattle originated in Canada, 

 being descendants of cattle from Brittany and Normandy 

 brought over by the early French settlers. They are of 

 the same origin as the Jersey cattle, and in many respects 

 resemble them, although the more rugged climatic condi- 

 tions under which they have been developed have made 

 them more hardy. They are economical producers, doing 

 well on scant rations. 



Characteristics. -^ These cattle are quite small, the cows 

 when fully mature weighing from 700 to 900 pounds, and 

 the bulls about 1000 pounds. In color, they are black, 

 brown, dark brown, with or without a yellow stripe along 



