No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 2S3 



oi: chest and width of hips. In such requirements we recognize pro- 

 visions against degeneration of the breed. Our American herd 

 books enter all animals of pure blood whatever the age or devel- 

 opment. The Advanced Register of the Holstein-Friesian Associa- 

 tion of America adopts the European method and adds to it a mea- 

 surement of width at the thurl (called by anatomists the great tro- 

 canter), and a standard record of milk or butter production. In the 

 early history of this association this system encountered great oppo- 

 sition. It is now generally regarded as peculiarly valuable to the 

 breed and to breeders who are active in the advancement of its in- 

 terests. 



AYKSniRES. 



By C. M. WINSLOVV, Secretaru Ayrshire Cattle Club. 



The Ayrshire is strictly a dairy cow, originating in the county of 

 Ayr, Scotland, and attracting public attention about a hundred 

 years or more ago. Her origin is veiled in obscurity, and whether 

 built up by judicious selection from the native stock of the coun- 

 try, or the foundation was laid by cross-breeding from one or more 

 foreign breeds, is difficult to determine. There are, however, handed 

 down to us accounts of various importations by the landlords of 

 the old Durham breed, both males and females, and there are many 

 striking characteristics which strongly indicate either a foundation 

 from the old milking Shorthorn or a strong cross from that breed. 

 But, however all that may be, they have been bred for so long in a 

 direct line that their characteristics are fixed and readily perpetu- 

 ated. 



The Ayrshire is a spotted cow with a greater or less proportion 

 of white, red or brown, varying in its proportion with the taste of 

 the breeder. She is a solid, compact animal, weighing at maturity 

 about 1,000 lbs; small, bony head, upright horns, full eyes, large muz- 

 zle, thin neck, sharp shoulders, large barrel, broad hips, deep in the 

 flank, giving her a wedge shape. Her udder is capacious, running 

 well forward and back, with teats wide apart, being about three 

 inches long, placed on the four corners of the udder. All appear- 

 ances of an Ayrshire cow indicate large milking capacity. She is 

 tough and hardy, seldom having anything ailing her, either in body or 

 udder. She has a vigorous appetite, not at all dainty in her food, 

 eating with a relish whatever is placed before her. good or bad. 



