ON THE AYKSHIRE BREED OF CATTLE, 147 



'sities which the Ayrshires possess, and also to improve upon 

 them as much as is consistent with the laws of nature, care in 

 selection, care in rearing, care in feeding, and care in preserving 

 a true record of all animals that excel, are points worthy of ol)- 

 servation; avoiding, at the same time, extremes in over- feeding 

 or pampering, too-fine crossing, and transporting to climes and 

 pastures unsuited to the race.- 



The above are, in the opinion of many enlightened dairy 

 farmers, some of the measures which might be adopted, keeping 

 in view the conservation and improvement of the Ayrshire 

 breed of cattle. 



OX THE WEST HIGHLAND BREED OF CATTLE. 



By Thomas Farrall, Aspatria, Carlisle. 



[Premium — Ten Sovereigns.] 



Early History. — Beyond the records of history, the Highlands 

 of Scotland have been occupied by vast herds of cattle, which 

 have at length acquired a character suited to a country of high 

 mountains and rough-grown heaths. In the northern parts of 

 the country, the cattle had the name of North Highlanders 

 bestowed upon them, while for ages those inhabiting the western 

 sea-board and the adjoining islands were known as West High- 

 landers. Owing to the mountainous character, and close 

 proximity of this part of Scotland to the sea, the rainfall is con- 

 siderable, being from 30 to 40 inches on an average annually ; 

 yet the climate, though subjected to violent storms, is not so 

 cold as might naturally be supposed from its northern position, 

 the waters of the Gulf Stream having a wonderful effect in 

 preventing extremes of heat and cold. This comparative mild- 

 ness and extreme humidity of climate, together with the 

 peculiar nature of the soil, tend to produce a luxuriant growth 

 of coarse grass and herbaceous plants, interspersed with patches 

 of heath, thus affording sustenance to a hardy race of animals 

 such as the West Highlanders have proved themselves to be. 

 The extension of sheep-farming of late years has doubtless been 

 the means of displacing a large number of this breed, but it is 

 questionable whether any class of animals can be found better 

 adapted to the peculiarities of soil, climate, and geographical 

 position than the shaggy Kyloe is. Notwithstanding that the 

 numbers have been lessened, it may be remarked that the 

 breed has been preserved in a remarkable degree of purity ; 

 unlike the North Highlanders, which have been so much 

 changed in appearance by the continued ingrafting of shorthorn 

 blood, that it is now difficult to find an animal of the original 



