ON THE AYKSHIKE BllEED OF CATTLE. 135 



the opinions of early writers, and although their accounts differ 

 slightly in detail, they all agree in one point — that the Ayrshire 

 cattle are tlie result of a cross between the native type and some 

 foreign breed or breeds. 



Although the improvement in Ayrshire cattle dates from the 

 year 1750, it cannot be said to have become anything like universal 

 until about the year 1780, when a much better system of farming 

 was adopted, more attention was devoted to the breeding and rear- 

 ing of stock, and a much more generous fare was substituted for tliat 

 which was barely necessary to sustain life. Higher rents were de- 

 manded, and these served as a stimulus to industry; for, as the clay 

 soil was in excess, and liable to be poached if worked under the al- 

 most continual dripping of the clouds, more attention was devoted 

 to dairy farming than to the growth of wheat or other cereals. 



Thus the race of Ayrshires was ameliorated step by step, until 

 it has attained its present state of perfection. A considerable 

 time has elapsed since the improved breed was established in 

 every district of Ayrshire proper, as well as since its adoption 

 in many other counties. A Air Fulton is said to have hrst 

 planted it in Carrick about the year 1790; while a Mr Eyan 

 established the first herd in Wigtownshire, on the south side of 

 Lochryan, in the year 1802. Towards the end of last century 

 several cattle were introduced into Dumfriesshire, having been 

 brought to the estate of Mr Hope Johnstone of Annandale. 

 Altogether, dairy tfirming spread rapidly towards the close of 

 last, and in the beginning of the present, century, and in most 

 of the soutli-western counties of Scotland the Ayrsliire breed is 

 gradually supplanting others. 



Some of the most noted dairy farmers and breeders of stock in 

 the county of Ayrshire are — j\Ir Andrew Allan, Munnoch, Dairy, 

 who has a dairy of about 75 cattle, and who bred the cov/ which 

 took first honours at the Highland Society's Show at Glasgow this 

 year (1875) ; Mr J. N. Fleming, Knockdon, Maybole, well known 

 as a prize-taker, and generally acknowledged to have the best 

 Ayrshires in Scotland ; Mr J. Parker, Broomlands .Kilmarnock ; 

 and Mr J. Howie, Burnhouses, Kilmarnock. 



In the district lying around East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, are also 

 some noted herds. Particularly may be mentioned as owners — 

 Mr Thomas Ballantyne, Netherton ; Mr John Hamilton, Skeoch ; 

 Mr George Crawford, Bogside; and Mr William Craig, Cruther- 

 land, — all having l^een prize winners for Ayrshire dairy cattle. 



In Stirling, fine herds are owned by the following : — Mr Duncan 

 Keir, Bucklyvie ; Mr W. A. M'Lauchlan, Auchentroig, Balfron ; 

 and Mr Hugh Fleming, Ballaird, Balfron. 



At Holestane, in Dumfries, His Grace the Duke of Buccleucli 

 •has a fine herd of thirty years' standing. It consists of 40 cows 

 with their followers — viz., 7 bulls, 24 queys rising three years 



