The islands also have their special breeds. The Sicilian cattle with red saddle are a mo dicana breed. The other breeds are either mixed or are propagated nuances from the Alpine stock of Savoy, of Switzerland, or Aus tria and these inhabit the spurs of the Alps in the Po valleys and also the plain. Whilst the cattle raisers of the Lombardy plain make a considerable profit in return for the care given to their milch cattle, those of Romagna devote themselves to producing a breed that can be used for labor and for beef. The Alpine moun taineer seeks to put his mountain slopes to a good use by grazing cattle, and the Sicilian cat tle raiser experiments with forage plants suit able to the hot and dry climate of the island.
The improvement in breed may be explained by better judgment in the selection of breeding animals, by the more rational manner of feed ing and by the importation of high-bred for eign stock, among which the brown saddle Swiss cattle from Canton Schwyz, and those with the spotted saddle from Simmenthal pre dominate.
The exportation of cattle forms a consider able item in commerce. Switzerland, in 1903, imported over 30,000 head. But the increase in production provides also for the growing de mand for home consumption.
Cheese and Butter.— The manufacture of cheese is of growing importance. In 1890, 57,000 cwt. of cheese was exported; in 1905, 171,000 cwt. Of butter in 1895, 44,000 cwt. was ex ported, and in 1935 more than 60,000 cwt. The Swiss cheese, Emmenthal brand, which are im ported in large quantities from Switzerland, are now manufactured largely in Italy, as a result of the study of Professor. Moreschi and are of the finest quality, and have become an export.
In Latium and Sardinia cheese made of goat's milk is an important product.
Breeds of Horses.— There are numerous varieties of breeds which, while not losing en tirely the characteristic of the stock from which they are derived—and Italy is famous for its horses — have acquired new characteristics from their environment. In upper Italy the horses are bred indoors; in Tuscany, in the south, and the islands they breed in the open. The num ber of horses must be over 741,739 head, ac cording to the enumeration made by the War Department.
Sheep.— Italy, like all the European states sees a gradual decrease in its flocks of sheep, owing to the extension and amplification of agriculture. A few years ago it was estimated that Italy- produced about 12,000,000 kilo/ grammes of wool (worth $4,200,000), with fewer than 7,000,000 sheep.
The breeds of sheep deserving mention are: the Bergamasca, or giant sheep; the Vissana, which inhabit Latium, the Marches and Abruzzi; the Gentile di Puglia; and lastly, the Merinos, and the fat-tailed sheep, or °bar baresca,D which are to be found in the islands, and especially in Sicily.
The flocks of central and southern Italy summer in the Apennines, and pass the winter in the plains of the Maremma, of Latium, of Apulia, of Salernitano, and along the banks of the Ionian Sea. Better results in production and a heavier weight of wool have been ob tained by breeding with the Merinos of the Rambouillet stock. The export of sheep reaches about 400,000, of which almost all go to Switz erland.
Swine.— There has been a great increase in swine, which are made more productive by mating with the Yorkshire boar. In the south, and particularly in the Campania, the prize breed of Casertana is predominant. In the cen tral and northern provinces the swine of Celtic type, with long snout, convex spine, with long legs, adapted to wandering across the meadows, are to be found. It may be affirmed that there are at least 2000,000 swine. The raising of pigs is now a flourishing industry and produces an important commercial export. In 1905, 95,000 head were exported directly to Switzer land and Austria-Hungary.
Poultry Breeding is in a primitive state. There are a few successful raisers, but most in dustrial attempts at poultry breeding have failed. The valuable breeds of poultry are those of the Valley of the Arno, of the Polverara, of Padua, of Martinafranca; but it may be said that every province has some that are valuable.
In 1905 about 93,000 cwt of poultry were ex ported; of eggs there were exported in the same year over 331,000 cwt. worth about $13, 000,000.
• Pigeons.— Large pigeons for food are pro duced in considerable numbers, especially in the provinces of Emilia.
Exportation of Agricultural Products.— Taken altogether the difference is very small between the total value of the agrarian prod ucts imported and of those exaorted. (See be kiw : ITALY - INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE).
The principal agrarian products exported are: Unhusked rice and raw rice, prepared rice, chestnuts, potatoes, vegetables, greens and French tomatoes, dried vegetables, oranges, lemons, limes, fresh grapes, fresh fruits (dates included), almonds, nuts, hazel-nuts, dried figs, raw hemp, sumac, different kinds of wine in casks, every kind of wine in bottles, tartar or dregs of wine, purified olive oil, preserved vege tables, fruits and greens, preserved tomatoes, essences of orange, neroli, bergamot and lemon, essence of new-mown hay. Cattle, pigs, fresh meat, sah and cured meat, poultry (live and dead), hens' eggs, butter (fresh and salt), cheese.