3i6 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



convert licr food into manure. The latter may give a greater 

 quantity of milk than the former, and yet, be the most unprofit- 

 able of the two, because she will not yield as much in propor- 

 tion to the value of the food which she consumes. Much has 

 been said and written about the productiveness of cows of 

 different breeds, and of cows of no particular breed, but very 

 little has been said about the cost of the production. If the 

 two statements were placed side by side, a better estimate 

 could be formed of the intrinsic value of the animals. No one 

 breed of cows is adapted in the best possible manner, for the 

 dairy and the shambles ; the two qualities cannot be combined 

 in the same animal, their difference in form prevents it. 



It will be observed, from what has been stated in the system 

 pursued by the Ayrshire farmer, that he adapts means to ends, 

 and therefore is most likely to have his " expectations satis- 

 fied." He gives his cows a liberal supply of dairy food, and 

 in such a state (a large portion of it being cooked) as enables 

 the animal to extract from it more nutriment ; and by pursuing 

 this plan, together with punctual attention, the quantity of 

 milk will, in many instances, be doubled or trebled. Punctu- 

 ality in feeding, is of great importance, as it prevents all 

 uneasiness in the animal on that account ; for without a watch, 

 or the knowledge of its use, they know their feeding time as 

 well as their keeper, and as all uneasiness produces a waste of 

 milk and flesh, they should be as punctually attended to and 

 as calmly treated as possible. 



The system of the Ayrshire farmer is founded upon sound 

 philosophical principles, and not upon hap-hazard ones. The 

 more we facilitate the adaptation of the food for the organs of 

 digestion, the greater will be the saving to us. He therefore 

 cuts up his hay, straw, and roots, to save some expenditure of 

 force, hence of food, by the feeding animal. If food contains 

 much water at a temperature far lower than that of the animal, 

 it must be raised to that temperature at an expense of part of 

 the food. This is obviated by the process of steaming, and in 

 many cases will prove a saving of one-twentieth part of the 

 food. All feeders of pigs know that they thrive better on dry 

 than on wet fodder. He also provides comfortable accommo- 

 dations for his cattle, where their blood will circulate freely, 



