ON THE AYRSHIRE BREED OF CATTLE. 



14a 



returns are tlie largest ; but such farms are said to be privileged, 

 and rents are consequently higher. 



For the sake of comparing the three methods of disposal, an 

 example may be adduced. In the suppositious conversion of 

 milk into butter and cheese, the usual recognised standard is 

 observed, viz., 2| gallons of milk to 1 lb. of butter, and 1 gallon 

 to 1 lb. of cheese, although some dairymen now calculate 30 

 gallons of milk to 24 lbs. of cheese. Say an average dairy cow, 

 with moderately liberal diet, yields 600 gallons of milk per 

 annum, the following results are obtained : — 



(1.) 600 gallons of Millc, ut lOd. per gal. 



(2.) 240 lbs. Butter, at Is. 4a. per lb. , 

 Estimated value of Butter-milk, 



Total, 



(3.) 5J cwt. of Cheese, at 70s. per cwt. 

 Estimated value of Wliev, 



Total, 



It appears that of the three systems, the sale of the produce in 

 the shape of milk is most profitable ; that cheese-making stands 

 second, and butter last. Of course, the prices current for the 

 different articles would render the returns variable, but it is 

 usually understood that milk selling is the most advantageous 

 where" there is sufficient off-gate for the produce, inasmuch as 

 milk is an exceedingly perishable article, and cannot easily be 

 conveyed long distances, so that competition is to a certain extent 

 prohibited. 



The following figures show the result of a milking competition 

 held at Ayr on the 26th and 27th days of April 1861, viz. : — 



Name of OwTier. 



A. Wilson, . 

 J. Hendrie, 

 W. Reid, . 

 W. Eeid, . 

 R. Wallace, 

 R. Wallace, 



In the above competition, the greatest yield at a single milking 

 was rather over 3 gallons, which produced at the rate of 15 lbs. 

 of butter per week. But being a competition, and the cows 



