1862 .] 
339 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
SWISS CATTLE, “-prize animals at the rot ax, agricultural society's show, London, june, 1863 
{Engraved for the American Agriculturist .) 
Swiss Cattle. 
The annexed engraving is designed to repre¬ 
sent two Prize Animals we saw on Exhibition 
at the late show of the English Royal Agricul¬ 
tural Society. The artist has hardly done the 
animals justice. These improved Swiss Cattle 
somewhat resemble the Short-Horns, though 
rather larger boned, and not yet fully developed 
in some of the “-points.” Intelligent Swiss 
breeders are making constant improvements how¬ 
ever, and several experienced men with whom 
we conversed, both in Switzerland and Germany, 
consider them, in their present condition, as bet¬ 
ter adapted to Switzerland, and to Central Eu¬ 
rope generally, than any of the breeds so highly 
esteemed in England. Prof. Rau, of the Hohen- 
heim Agricultural College, Wurtemberg, has a 
large herd of pure Swiss Cattle, which he is . 
breeding for dissemination in that kingdom, as 
he considers them best adapted to that country. 
The pure-bred Swiss cattle are of large size, me¬ 
dium boned, hardy, and will thrive on pastures 
too poor for the Short-Horn. They are good 
milkers withal, and we are not certain that they 
would not be found admirably adapted to many 
parts of this country. We throw out this hint 
to Mr. Thorne, and other public-spirited breed¬ 
ers, who have already done so much for the im¬ 
provement of our stock. We may add, by the 
way, that at the Battersea Park Show the Swiss 
cattle attracted more attention from the curious 
multitude, than any other class of animals—ex¬ 
cept perhaps a pen of shaggy ponies,-direct 
from Shetland. Each Swiss cow was supplied 
with a large sweet-toned bell, such as is worn by 
every cow in their native land. Nothing 
among Switzerland scenery was more interest¬ 
ing to us than to listen to the sound of these 
bells, heard upon the mountain sides at the 
distance of two or three miles, on a still evening. 
Milch Cows in Fall and Winter. 
Milking, except for a short period after the 
birth of a calf, is altogether an artificial process. 
Nature intended animals to yield milk only 
while it should be necessary for the sustenance 
of the young; but by long training, artificial 
habits have been induced, and the flow of milk 
is prolonged for months, and even for years, af¬ 
ter the natural period has passed. Partly for 
this reason, no secretion of the cow is more 
easily affected by treatment of the animal.- Any 
derangement of health, insufficient food, or 
bodily discomfort, at once shows its effects in 
the decreased quantity and quality of the milk. 
It should also be borne in mind that the con¬ 
tinued flow of milk beyond the natural period 
is no small drain upon the vital functions of an 
animal, and this should be counterbalanced by 
extra stimulus in the form of good nourishing 
food, and whatever care is necessary to keep up 
the health of the cow to the highest standard. 
At this season of the year change of food is 
necessary. Long before the pastures are entire 
ly despoiled of verdure, the grasses nipped by 
repeated frosts lose much of their nutriment. 
Though cows may gather their fill, it is of poor¬ 
er quality, and the yield of milk speedily suf¬ 
fers. A daily allowance of bran, shorts, or 
ground feed of rye and oats, or two thirds oats 
with one third corn, will supply the lack of 
nourishment, and show itself, with good interest 
added, in the milk pail. This feed should be 
wet before using. We prefer it to feeding with 
hay, for the reason that nourishment, more than 
bulk, is needed; they can pick up enough part- 
