186 NOTES ON FIELDS AND CATTLE. 



" The points considered good in an Ayrshire bull 

 by the breeders of that species of stock, are a broad 

 short head, the horns spreading from the side a little 

 in front, and turning upwards. The top of the 

 shoulder sharp, back rather narrow, and rounded 

 over the ribs, ribs rather flat, hooks confined, hams 

 thin, tail-head somewhat drooping, belly enlarged, 

 and legs very short. These are all points opposed to 

 those of a good shorthorn : and the points in which 

 they agree are a straight back, loose mellow skin, 

 large eye, sharp muzzle, and small horn." 



" The cows are best liked for a very sharp 

 shoulder, and wide hooks and pelvis, in which con- 

 formation the ribs are always flat and the belly 

 large. The udder is desired to be hemispherical, 

 situate forward, and provided with loose soft skin 

 behind." 



The Isle of Wight farmer, who on this subject 

 ought to be an authority, " rarely breeds from a cow 

 which has good points for grazing," " on account of 

 the generally received opinion, that a cow which has 

 an aptitude to fatten is a bad milker." 



Acting upon some such theory as this, I have 

 known a shrewd agriculturist half-starve his young 

 stock with a view to making them milkers (they are 

 not guilty of such culpable folly in Ayrshire), as 

 though the imperfect development and lean look 

 occasioned by the want of necessary sustenance 

 might bring the desired qualities in tow. 



One word, in conclusion, respecting judges at shows. 

 It has long run in my head that some such plan as 

 the following might answer for the production of 



