DAIRY CATTLE 



293 



Peterboro, New Hampshire. The last volume of the herd book 

 indicates that 50,000 bulls, 82,000 cows have been recorded since 

 the Registry was established in 1877. 



The Ayrshire breed. — This breed had its origin in Ayrshire, 

 Scotland. The climate is rugged with severe winters and mild 

 summers. The land is rolling and much of the soil is of only 

 average fertility. Small grains and hay are the chief crops. 



Fig. 154. — Ayrshire bull. 



Strathplass Gold Chink, 

 winner. 



A famous showrinf 



The cattle are grazed on the hills in summer. Historical records 

 show that cattle of dairy type existed in the section previous .to 

 the establishment of this breed. During the latter part of the 

 eighteenth century these cattle were improved by the introduc- 

 tion of Teeswater bulls. The red or brown and white color was 

 established at this time and has continued as the breed color. 

 Many brown and white cattle exist at present in Scotland. 



The first Ayrshires coming into the United States came to 

 Massachusetts about 1825. They met with much favor and grew 

 to occupy a prominent place in New England. Other importa- 

 tions followed from time to time but not to the same extent that 

 other dairy breeds have been imported. 



Characteristics of the breed. — The Ayrshire is of meduium 

 size compared with the other dairy breeds, mature bulls weigh- 



