NEAT STOCK. 203 



an idea of the standard for Ayrshires, as recognized by the 

 leading breeders : — 



Head short, forehead wide, nose fine between the muzzle and 

 eyes ; muzzle moderately large, eyes full and lively, horns 

 widely set on, inclining upwards and curving slightly inwanls. 



Neck long and straight from the head to the top of the 

 shoulder, free from loose skin on the under side, fine at its 

 junction with the head, and the muscles symmetrically enlarg- 

 ing towards the shoulders. 



Shoulders thin at the top, brisket light, the whole fore-quar- 

 ters thin in front, and gradually increasing in depth and width 

 backwards. 



Back short and straight, spine well defined, especially at the 

 shoulders, short ribs arched, the body deep at the flanks, and 

 the milk-veins well developed. 



Pelvis long, broad and straight, hook [or hip] bones wide 

 apart, and not much overlaid with fat, thighs deep and broad, 

 tail long and slender, and set on level with the back. 



]\I ilk-vessel [udder] capacious and extending well forward, 

 hinder-part broad and firmly attached to the body, the sole or 

 under surface nearly level. The teats from two to two and a 

 half inches in length, equal in thickness, and hanging perpen- 

 dicularly ; their distance apart at the sides should be equal to 

 about one-third of the length of the vessel, and across to about 

 one-half of the breadth. 



Legs short, the bones fine, and the joints firm. 



Skin soft and elastic, and covered with soft, close and woolly 

 hair. 



The colors preferred are brown, or brown and white, the 

 colors being distinctly defined. 



Weight of the animal when fattened, about forty imperial 

 stones, sinking the offal [that is 560 pounds, the quarters, or 

 meat only.] 



As to the produce of the Ayrshire breed, Professor Low says : 

 " Healthy cows, on good pastures, give from 800 to 900 gallons 

 of milk a year." Aiton says : " 600 gallons a year may be 

 deemed about the average of this breed ;" and the author of 

 British Husbandry, says, in reference to this yield : " If equalled, 

 we believe it will not be found exceeded by any other breed in 

 the kingdom." Martin says : " The milk of the Ayrshire cow 



