THE HOLSTEIN-FREISIAN COW.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2014, 23 March 1914, Page 8

THE HOLSTEIN-FREISIAN COW.

NOTABLE CHARACTERISTICS. Tho Holstein-Friesian cattle have been bred by the dairymen of Northern Holland and Fricsland for Eeveral centuries, always for dairy purposes. One of the notabdo characteristics of tho Holsteins. is their adaptability to varying conditions of climate. This brood is strong, and not only keeps its vigour in all parts of tho world, but improves all other'breeds on which it is crossed. Tho Holland typo is tho result'of centuries of selection'and environment. With it has come the enormous yield of milk and tho character-, istics of pdwerful''dige3tion"and perfect assimilation of food. Large sizo has always distinguished the breed. It gives largo quantities of milk and makes good; veal and beef.' Tho calves are < largo at birth, and grow and fatten rapidly; They are very hardy and can 'bo raised on skim milk at the ago of throo to sis days. Tho'type of tho breed is technically called tho milk and beef form. It is especially strong in all vital particulars. Tho bones aro fine compared with tho size,' and the .chine broad and strong, as compare.d with the high and sharp chines of the extreme milk form'. Tho twist is roomy and the thighs and hocks are well apart. Passing forward, tho shoulders aro. smoother and more compact than in the extreme'milk form, but lighter, of weight than the beef form, and the chest not so low. In tho milk forms tho.abdomen is usually swung low, and. tho ribs aro stcop, but in tho milk and beef forms tho ribs arewider sprung and tho abdomen is more trimly held up, though no less' capacious. Tho ■ general appearance of the bull is (Strongly masculine, whilo that of the cow is no less feminiuo than in tho extreme milk form.

Tho large amount of milk given and the length of timo which the cows continue to yield milk are well known characteristics of the- breed.' Tho world's butter records for a year, for a month, for ono week and for ono day arc held by Holstein cows. ■ The milk of the Holstein seems especially adapted, to the feeding of babies. This is accounted for by tho fact that tho fat globules of the, Holstein milk are small enough to bo easily digested by babies and that its composition more nearly approaches human- milk than that of any othor cuttle.