1 16 OF LIVE STOCK. 



much produce, considering their miserable treatment in 

 winter. 



Mr Ralston's dairy farms in Galloway are certainly the 

 largest concern of the sort in Scotland. He kept, some 

 time ago, about 120 milch cows, and he is making arrange- 

 ments for adding about 100 more to the number. The 

 mode he pursues of feeding his dairy stock, is as follows : 



They are never fed out of doors until the grass has risen 

 to afford them a full bite : when the weather is dry and hot, 

 they are housed, and fed on cut grass, from six in the morn- 

 ing till six at night, when they are turned out to pasture 

 for the other twelve hours. During bad weather, they are 

 housed both night and day, and fed plentifully with turnips, 

 potatoes, &c. Chaff, oats, and potatoes are boiled for the 

 cows after calving, and they are generally fed on rye-grass 

 hay, during the latter part of the spring. 



It is much to be regretted, that in many parts of Scot- 

 land, the farmers are not sufficiently attentive to the profits 

 of the dairy. The late Mr Scott of Craiglockhart lament- 

 ed that his dairy, owing to peculiar circumstances, was 

 much circumscribed, being convinced, from experience and 

 observation, that if properly attended to, it is the most pro- 

 fitable branch of agriculture. The drudgery is certainly 

 great, and it is only a particular class that will give the at- 

 tention necessary to ensure profit. Milking thoroughly, 

 and feeding regularly, are first-rate objects. Green crops 

 are now to be had in abundance at all seasons of the year ; 

 and cattle thrive as well in a stall or fold-yard, as when 

 roaming in the fields. 



In the neighbourhood of Glasgow and Paisley, the farm- 

 ers are particularly attentive to the profits of the dairy. 

 The Ayrshire cows generally prevail, and they have in their 

 possession some of the most perfect of that excellent breed. 

 Such farmers as live within two miles of Glasgow or Pais- 



