194 DAIRYING. 



twenty-two four-year-olds yielded an average of 14.26 lbs., 

 forty-one three-year-olds an average of 12.61 lbs., and 

 eighty-two two-year-olds 9.37 lbs. Up to the present time, 

 the close of the year 1899, equal records under as severe 

 surveillance have been made by no other breed. 



IV. Ayrshires. 



By C. M. WiNSLOw, Brandon, Vt., Secretary Association of Ayrshire 

 Breeders. 



The original home of the Ayrshire cow is in Scotland, 

 in the county of Ayr. This county has always been noted 

 for its dairy industry, and the thrift of its inhabitants. 

 The soil is strong, giving good pasturing and abundant 

 crops, the climate is rough, and people and cattle hardy. 



The Ayrshires began to attract the attention of dairy- 

 men in other parts of the world some fifty years ago, and 

 there was an importation made into Canada and the New 

 England states, where they are bred in considerable num- 

 bers and highly prized. They have been sent South, and 

 are said to endure the heat better than any other breed. 

 They also are said to stand the cold of Canada better than 

 any other dairy breed. 



The Ayrshire cow is of medium size, weighing about one 

 thousand pounds, of blocky build, low on legs, and usually 

 spotted in color, being red and white as a rule, though 

 sometimes nearly red. They are hardy and healthy, en- 

 during changes of heat and cold with little discomfort, and 

 quickly adapt themselves to surrounding conditions. They 

 perhaps show to the best advantage where the food sup- 

 ply is limited, and they are compelled to hunt for a full 

 supply. 



It is claimed for the cows of this breed that they will 

 give the largest return of dairy product for food consumed 

 of any of the dairy breeds. There has never been much 

 said or done by the owners of Ayrshires to bring their 

 merits to the attention of the public. They are a popular 



* U. S. Consular Reports [1886] —Cattle and Dairy Farming-, pp. 398, 404, 

 t The same, p. 519. 



