150 PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT. 



to have been gained in 1845, 4 and now, also, we first 

 find mention of the flatness of thigh, at the inner side 

 technically called the twist. At this time, the droop- 

 ing of the haunch towards the rump was common. 

 This breed had now become the prevailing stock in 

 Renfrew, Dumbarton, Stirling, and Lanark, and had 

 been carried to many other more distant localities. 

 In 1853 5 we have for the first time a recognized 



o 



standard for the breeder, the Scale of Points of the 

 Ayrshire Agricultural Association. Particular stress 

 is placed on the wedge-form body, and the develop- 

 ment of the rear half of the body where the concen- 

 tration of function takes place. The shapes of the 

 milk-vessel and its appendages receive greater atten- 

 tion, and there is demanded an increased fineness of 

 points. 



In 1866 Archibald Sturrock, in a prize essay on 

 Ayrshire County, writes that " a capacious and well- 

 set udder is certainly the chief point of excellence." 6 



In 1868 the chief point of merit of Ayrshire cattle 

 is said to be " a capacious and well-set udder, and 

 these are the principal objects aimed at, although a 

 straight back, with a sweet head and branching 

 horns, are received with favor in a show-yard." 7 



In 1871 a writer in the "Farmer's Magazine," in 

 describing the Ayrshire cow, proceeds : et The udder 

 well set on. For a prize-taker this point must be 

 faultless, as no beauty of form or regularity of other 



4 Low's Animals, p. 343. 



5 Pr. Essays H. Soc. 1866-7, p. 106. 



6 Pr. Essays H. Soc. 1866-7, p. 77. 



7 H. N. Eraser, Pr. Essays li. Soc. 1858-9, p. 331. 



