IN HOLSTEIN LAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1626, 18 December 1912, Page 10

IN HOLSTEIN LAND.

IMPRESSIONS OP'A NEW ZEALAND ',/ ' \ VISITOR... An'interesting account of a visit to the Fxiesian Societies' show, held at Icewaruo'ri; 'Holland, on August 26, 27, and 23, is given by Mr. Joseph Liggins, of "Ashlea," Tokomaru, in it letter from Europe to Mr. Win. M'Keiizie, secretary of tke-Hol-sfcein-rriesian Breeders!' Association, Palmerston North. '

The yisit was primariiv' arranged for the British llolstein Cattle Society at the invitation of-Dr. Van Khyn, of the Holland Agricultural Department, but by the courtesy of Mr. George Hobson, secretary of the society,-Messrs. J. 0. Batchelar, of Palmerston. (representing the Nov.' Zealand Jersey Breeders' Association), and Mr. Liggins (representing the . IlolstoinEriesian Association of New' Zealand), wore invited to take partArriving at Lcowarden, the first visit was to the show itself, which was somewhat in the nature of tho Royal English Show: Tho site chosen was the enormous cattle market. The stalls, scrupulously' neat and clean,, were ,of strong iron piping, while the catte were shaded by wellgrown trees.' People could walk through tho long-lines of cattle with comfort, tho road, between each row being 2Q feet wide. The great competition amongst Holstein biesders was liot conducted on the lines .of individual co:n,petitio.n, but as families. All ..animals were, of course; Herd Book cattle. In tho bulls, for instance, there was_ "a class for four y«vrs and older, .having previously gained awards with their descendants; and another class'for females with-their descendants. But in order not to obtain a "flattered image," out of each herd must be sent a certain number ;of . animals increasingly as . the herd becomes more numerous. Thus two cows can be sent with their descendants out of a herd of fifteen, and twelve out of.sixty. The prises are rjot very valuable, but the breeder does not mind this, as he aspires to honours above casli prizes. Separate classes are provided for young bulls aud heifers in calf, the awards being medals and diplomas. From all parts of'.'Holland Bull Associations com--pete, districts being very earnest in their endeavour to.secure the awards for their particular district. There is a competition included for cattle reared on t different.soils. As in'Paliuersto'n there'is also a high production competition, the groups being: (a) group of heavy soils cattle; (b) group of light soils;.and (c) a group with high production'' rates. .

The cattle were all Friesland cattle. In Ericslahd, there are'black and white and red and white cattle. The latter are not numerous, nnd these colours-do not seem to' be general favourites: Some breeders, however, like them and have taken great pains to keep the colours distinct. Those are the true Friesians, the head, horns, and general o.p-pearance being quite, nn'misfcakabJa.' They are very good cattle, and-were it not for the fact Hiatit might be. detrimental to the true Fviesean type, they might be crossed with red and white S-uvrthorii'S. Tlwy would be a good type to import, but for. the above danger. All ■other points are-the same as the black and whites. The last-named shown at the show were in the writer's opinion a shade bigger than those shown in New Zealand. The colours were distinct; no black legs; tails with-lon-g wliite switches, tho end reaching down to the hock, and'in many cases below it, with the .switches swiMping 'to the ground. The forehead was, well dished aud often very distinctly showed- the white..

.'' There.' is also a lighter built type of ,Friesians. The cattle from heavy, lands 'awl liixuriant' pastures are in the area belojr the sea level, and larger than these grown on the lighter and drier lands. These types were-not judged in one but in two classes.. Thus .the farms on these different lands can anddo carry cattle of a. higher standard of aristocracy and milk-producing qualities. The pnrtv visited some, typical herds, mining impressions. of the country, with its herds o"f cattle everywhere, which, states Sir.-: I-eggins, "is very remindful of our Taronaki" The cowbails are kept verv • clean. The cows are , cleaned by washing and grooming. In newer buildings the cattle are fed by means of tramways running before their heads. The watering is carried out by means of. iron vc-cta of four gallons' capacity. These pots'are filled all at one time by pipes entering underneath. For divisions, m older- bails, wood is used; but in'newer bails strong iron piping Everything was excr-.ptional'lv clean and neat. Even wooden shoes, or sabots, were left outside when workmen entered the cowshed.