146 [ASSEMBL\« 



of a good constitution, fine handling qualities, animated but do- 

 cile with all the merits of a thoroughbred animal, and sustains 

 the high reputation of his pedigree. The cows ^'Red Lady" and 

 '' Jenny" are very fine, and exhibited verj strongly the points- 

 necessary for the dairy cow, in fact all the animals exhibited by 

 Mr. Prentice carry the features of thorough breeding, and sustain 

 the reputation which his success in the breeding of cattle entitles 

 him to. 



It would we apprehend be presumptuous in your com- 

 mittee to report the favorable statistics heretofore published^ 

 both in the Old Country and the United States, in regard to the 

 superior merits cf this breed of cattle for the dairy, it has become 

 upon undoubted and reliable authority as much a distinct breed 

 as any other improved breed of cattle, and from the best authori- 

 ty they originated from as valuable stock as any existing, par- 

 ticularly for the dairy, (the Teeswater and Alderney.) " The 

 Ayrshire breed of cattle" says Mr. Alton ^^ is the most improved 

 breed of cattle to be found in the Island, not only for the dairy 

 in which they have no parallel, under similar soil, climate and- 

 relative circumstances ; but also in feeding for the shambles. They 

 ar6 in fact, a breed of cows, that have by crossing, coupling, feed- 

 ing dnd treatment been improved and brought to a state of per- 

 fection, which fits them above all others yet known, to ansAver 

 almost in every diversity of situation, where grass and grain can 

 be raised^ to feed them for the purposes of the dairy or for fatten- 

 ing them for beef" ^^ In a w^hole herd of forty or fifty there will 

 not be two of them alike in color, in this respect exhibiting a 

 diversity, not unlike a bed of tulips, and of as many hues and 

 shades, in an endless variety of beauty. The usual produce of 

 butter from these c-ows, is ascertained to be about half their 

 weight (meaning the four quarters,) in a year, but this requires 

 that the pasture be good, the season over." (Robertson.) The 

 qualities of an Ayrshire dairy cow " are of great importance, 

 tameness and docility of temper, greatly enhance the value of 

 a milch cow ; one that is contented, feeds at ease, does not break 

 over fences or hurt berself, and such cattle will always yield 

 more milk, and are easier to manage thaa those that are of a tur- 

 bulent dispositioa. 



