LECTURES XXXIV AND XXXV. 



AYRSHIRE CATTLE. 



Introduction of the Same Into America. 



The earliest known importations were made into Canada 

 in the early part of the nineteenth century, when cows were 

 brought over in ships bringing emigrants from Scotland and 

 England. These cows were chiefly intended to furnish milk 

 to the passengers while on the voyage. They were sold on 

 this side, however, and the demand for them increased; at 

 first the shipowners were requested to bring over more cows, 

 and later some energetic citizens took the chances of im- 

 porting them for sale. The breed spread much more quickly 

 in Canada than in the United States owing to the fact that 

 a very large proportion of the Canadian settlers were Scotch. 

 In 1837 the first importations to the United States were 

 made to the New England states. These continued for about 

 twenty-five years, but the cattle, while hardy and good milk- 

 ers, proved unsatisfactory because of their extremely short 

 teats. The result was that importations ceased, demand fell 

 off, and American breeders found it necessary to breed for 

 longer teats if they were to achieve success. The effort was 

 made and some success has followed, so that in recent years 

 the breed has increased in followers. Improvement has also 

 been made in Canada along similar lines, but little has as 

 yet been accomplished in Scotland in improving the teats. 



As a hardy breed, well adapted to consume large amounts 

 of coarse fodder and to rustle energetically when at pasture, 

 the Ayrshire is deservedly popular; and the excellent com- 



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