126 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



Ayrshire has a moist climate an almost continuous drizzle of 

 rains, or moisture pervading it making fresh, green pastures ; a 

 cooler and more equable temperature in summer, and warmer 

 in winter than ours. Our American climate is liable to extremes 

 of cold in winter, heat in summer, and protracted droughts, for 

 weeks, drying up our herbage. These differences alone account 

 for a diminished quantity in the yield of milk from the Scotch, 

 to the American Ayrshires. They have softer grasses for hay, 

 and plenty of root feeding in winter, which latter we have not. 

 This fact of a diminished yield in milk on this side of the 

 Atlantic, is acknowledged by those most conversant with them 

 in both countries. 



In the year 1837, we visited the Ayrshire herd of the late 

 Mr. John P. Gushing, at Watertown, near Boston, Mass. They 

 were of the choicest quality, imported by himself, on an order 

 sent out to an experienced dealer in Ayrshire cattle, "without 

 regard to price, so they were of the best." Two or three of 

 the cows were "prize" milkers at home, and certificates, duly 

 verified, were sent with them, of the quantities of milk they had 

 made. They had then been a year or more at Mr. Cushing's 

 farm, and had the best of keep. We questioned the manager as 

 to the quantities of milk the cows gave since their arrival, com- 

 pared with the certificates. His answer was, "about one-third 

 less, on an average. The best prize cow gave 33 quarts per 

 day when at her maximum, in Ayrshire, and 22 quarts here, 

 and the others in about like proportion; but they are all good 

 milkers, and Mr. Gushing is well satisfied with them." We 

 simply note the fact of the declension in milk of the Ayrshires. 

 in this country, knowing the same to have occurred with cows 

 of other breeds from England. 



AS A BEEF ANIMAL. 



Youatt says little of the Ayrshires in this particular. We get 

 only this: "It will be long, perhaps, before they will be favorites 



