70 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



cattle, without exception, make the most uniform and 

 attractive exhibit of all breeds. The milk is of a good, 

 standard quality, testing usually from 3J/2 to 4 per cent fat. 

 It makes excellent cheese, and most of the famous cheddar 

 cheese of Scotland is made of Ayrshire milk. 



Ayrshires have not been extensively tested in America, 

 but cows easily produce 6000 to 7000 pounds of milk a year. 

 The cow Netherhall Brownie 9th, in 365 days ending in 1911, 

 made over 18,000 pounds of milk, which contained 821 

 pounds of butter-fat. This is the best record for a cow of the 

 breed. Ayrshires are not common in America, except in 

 Canada and the northeastern United States. A few herds 

 are found here and there in the Western states, as far as the 

 Pacific slope. Cattle of this breed are well distributed in 

 northern Europe, in South Africa and Australia. Ayrshires 

 are hardy and do well in the cooler sections of the world 

 where the winters are long. They were first imported into 

 America probably in 1822, and have been brought here in a 

 modest way at various periods ever since. They do not 

 bring as high prices, as a rule, as Jerseys, Guernseys, or Hol- 

 stein-Friesians. 



Less common breeds of cattle found in America are the 

 Devon, Red Polled, Brown Swiss, Dutch Belted, Kerry, 

 Dexter, and French Canadian. The following are some of 

 their more important characteristics : 



The Devon is red in color, and originated in Devon, 

 southwest England. It is a breed that is found to be either 

 beefy or dual-purpose in form. It is a very old breed, and 

 was brought to America by the early settlers of this country. 

 Devons are not popular, and but few herds exist. It has 

 lost ground in this country while other breeds have gained. 



The Red Polled, as its name shows, is red, and without 

 horns. The breed originated in Suffolk and Norfolk coiin- 



