264 [Senate 



if well fatted, would probably weigh from seven fifty to eight hun- 

 dred poumls. Her last calf was a quey, by Roscoe, dropped the 23d 

 of April. The greatest quantity of milk per day was in June, and 

 25 quarts, (when I speak of quarts I wish to be understood the old 

 fashion milk or beer measure;) and the largest quantity of butter per 

 week has been fourteen pounds. Swinley is a high bred cow, out of 

 a cow called Rachel, who, when five years old, had taken five first 

 premiums at the county shows. 



My last imported cow, Crumraie, was shipped from Glasgow, via 

 Liverpool, in April, 1841. She was in calf by a thorough bred bull 

 owned by Mr. Drew. He speaks of the bull as the best he ever 

 owned, or ever expects to own. Crummie was five years old at the 

 time she was shipped, in April, 1841. - She dropped her calf the first 

 of March, '41, and wlien shipped was giving 24 quarts of milk per 

 day. She was hurt across her back on the voyage, and did not get 

 over it up to the time she gave me a bull calf, on the 7th of Febru- 

 ary last. She got up to 22 quarts of milk per day, but did not ex- 

 ceed that quantity at anytime after calving. If she continues to do 

 well, I shall expect her to give 26 quarts per day, next season. I 

 have two young Ayrshire heifers, bred by Mr. Gushing of Water- 

 town, Mass., from stock he imported. Each gave me a heifer calf, 

 one in June, the other in July last, one by my bull Rob Roy, the 

 other by Roscoe. I have four heifer calves this year, all full blood- 

 ed, and of much promise. I do not allow a calf to suck the mother, 

 not even to know what a teat is. We take them off and bring them up 

 by hand, giving them new milk for a fortnight; after that we give 

 them skimmed milk, with a small quantity of Indian or oatmeal in 

 the same. 



As to my success in breeding, I think I may say I have been suc- 

 cessful, although on a small scale. I shall have seven full blooded 

 Ayrshires to come in next year; have four full blooded heifer calves, 

 two bulls and one bull calf, which is all the full blooded stock I have. 



In my opinion the Ayrshires are better adapted to the short pas- 

 ture and fickle climate ot New-England, than any breed of cattle with 

 which I am acquainted. They are not great consumers of food, and 

 1 think give a greater return in butter and milk for the food they con- 

 sume than other breeds. I have several very good native cows; and in 

 winter the natives and Ayrshires are standing together, and are fed 

 alike, as to quantity of roots, all having what hay they require, but 

 there is a very marked difference in their appearance in the spring, 

 and in favor of Ayrshires. From their disposition to take on flesh, 

 I should think them a superior stock to breed from for the shambles. 

 But I think where a long bite is always to be found, and other pro- 

 vender in abundance, nothing will ever rival the Improved Short 

 Horns for early maturity and quantity of beef. 



