294 THE HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICAL FARMERS 



ing from fifteen hundred to two thousand pounds. The modern 

 show-ring type are larger than the type existing twenty years 

 ago in this country. Mature cows weigh from one thousand to 

 fourteen hundred pounds. In color the breed is red and white 

 or brown and white. There are many animals to-day that are 

 nearly all white. Red occurs on the sides of the head and neck. 

 As a breed, they are more uniform in type than any other 



Fig. 155. — Ayrshire cow. White Heather of Torr. Grand champion East- 

 ern States Exposition 1919. 



dairy breed. Their lines are straight and features clean cut. 

 The medium to long upright horns are a striking feature of the 

 breed. 



They are a little slower to mature than the Jersey or Guern- 

 sey and have a tendency to carry more flesh. As grazers on 

 rough rolling pastures they are superior, excelling the other 

 dairy breeds. They are very stylish and active. They are hardy 

 and rugged making tliem a desirable farmer's cow. 



They are more uniform in type of udder than any of the dairy 

 breeds. Formerly they were criticized for having fleshy udders 

 and small teats but these faults are rapidly being corrected. 



As milkers the breed ranks next to the Holstein in quantity. 

 While the milk is not as rich as that of the Channel Island 

 breeds, it is superior in quality to that of the Holstein, making 



