REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURE OF AYRSHIRE. 93 



Although we shall have occasion to insert the names of a 

 few amongst the leading Cheddar makers, it would simply be 

 acting invidiously on the reporter's part, were he to attempt any 

 such selection in the vastly more numerous class of Dunlop 

 makers. 



Messrs. James Drennan, Holmston, Ayr, and David Cun- 

 inghame, Chapelton, Ardrossan, were deputed in 1854 by the 

 "Ayrshire Agricultural Association," to visit and inspect various 

 of the best dairy districts in England, and afterwards to report 

 to the Association, which of the English modes in their opinion 

 was the best adapted for introduction into this county, — grant- 

 ing, of course, if a better method could be found than the old 

 Ayrshire or " Dunlop." The deputation decided on the " Ched- 

 dar system" of Somersetshire as being the best. The credit of 

 initiating this movement for bettering the cheese manufacture of 

 Ayrshire is due chiefly to the late Mr. Campbell of Craigie ; a 

 gentleman than whom no one in the countv took greater interest 

 in agricultural affairs, nor were there many so well qualified to 

 lead from scientific combined with practical knowledge. Since 

 1855 several teachers of the new mode from Somersetshire have 

 been brought north to Ayrshire, whilst some of the more zealous 

 of our farmers' wives and daughters have themselves gone south 

 to learn the system at the fountain-head. And upon the whole 

 the Cheddar system has made considerable progress in Ayrshire, 

 and more still in the larger dairies of Galloway. It has been 

 fostered with high prizes at the annual exhibition of cheese in 

 Kilmarnock, and there is the strong inducement held out to 

 skilful makers, from really good first-class "Cheddars" realising 

 in the London market about 15s. per cwt. more than can be got 

 for the best quality of " Dunlops " at home. The London price, 

 however, is subject to deduction for carriage, insurance, com- 

 mission, &c. ; and there is greater risk also, of course, of getting 

 always prompt return of cash. Experience has shewn that as 

 good quality of cheese — of that particular kind known in 

 southern markets as the "Cheddar make" — can be made in 

 Ayrshire, as in the somewhat milder latitudes of the south-west 

 of England ; and if such manufacturers, as, for example : — Mr. 

 Thomas Lindsay, Townend, Craigie ; Mr. James Cooper, White- 

 hill, Dailly; Mr. Andrew Allan, Maunock, Dairy; Mr. Alex. 

 Young, Yonderton, W. Kilbride; Mr. William Bone, Auchen- 

 cloigh, Sorn ; Mr. James Pollock, Raws, Kilmarnock ; Mr. 

 Robert Drummond, Pocknave, Craigie ; Mr. David Gibson, Col- 

 lennan, Dundonald ; Mr. John Rankine of Beoch, Lochlands, 

 Maybole; Mr. Hugh Nairn, South Kilbride, Stewarton ; Mr. 

 Alexander Blane, Alton- Albany, Barr ; Mr. Ivie Campbell, Dal- 

 gig, New Cumnock ; &c, can turn out first-class Cheddar, or 

 have it done for them under their or their wives' superinten- 



