358 now TO :\iake the farm pay. 



well developed, giving lier often a sort of wedge-shaped ajv 

 pearauce, which, though it may not add materially to her beauty 

 of form, is universally regarded, among dairymen, as a sign of 

 a great milker. 



The engraving of " Flora,^^ {Fig. 75,) a prize Ayrshire cow, 

 belonging to William Birnie, Esq., of Springfield, Massachu- 

 setts, gives a very correct idea of this wedge shape, and the full 

 development of the hind quarters, by which it is produced. It 

 is the form of a cow of great capacity at the pail. The back is 

 straight and broad behind, the dorsal joints loose and open, the 

 carcass deep, the pelvis full and wide over the hips. The tail 

 is usually long, small, and slender, and the legs sho^'t with firm 

 joints. The udder is large, square, broad, extending well for- 

 ward, not over fleshy, too low hung, nor too loose. The milk 

 veins are large and prominent, the teats sometimes too small, 

 pointing outwards, and set well apart. The Ayrshire is gene- 

 'ally a good handler, her skin thin, her hair soft, her whole 

 figure compact ana well proportioned, having no objectionable 

 amount of ofial. 



''Honest John,'' {Fig. 76,) drawn by the same artist, and belong- 

 ing to 'the same owner, shows the form and figure of an Ayr- 

 shire bull. He is represented in too high flesh, a weakness of 

 the artist, but otherwise the likeness is correct. He is dark red 

 and white; the color of the breed, generally, is variegated, 

 either dark or light red and white, often beautifully contrasted. 

 Occasionally the color is all red. 



There is a tendency to nervousness in some of the Ayrshires, 

 particularly in young heifers, but it seldom extends to vicious- 

 ness. With mild and gentle treatment, frequent handling, and 

 freedom from excitement, it is easily overcome. The cow is 

 docile and managed without difficulty. 



It is now nearly forty years since the importation of Ayr 



