11 



showed an animal of" the same breed, which during a period of seven 

 da3-s i»rodaced 17 pounds of butter, and 50 pounds in three consecutive 

 weeks. 



Though records superior to these have been made by cows 

 held not to be " phenomenal," yet they are quite remarkable, especially 

 so when we consider that tlie original stock from which the Ayrshire 

 came was ill-shaped, small in size, weighing when fat and dressed for 

 beef but about two hundred pounds, and yielding when in full flow 

 of milk not more than from six to eight quarts per day. This inferior, 

 primitive Ayrshire stock was simihir in all its characteristics to the 

 wild race from which all our present improved breeds sp)'ang, and 

 which yielded barely milk enough to give subsistence to its offspring for 

 a few^ weeks and went dry most of the year. No more marked exam- 

 ple can be produced of the capacity of the animal organism for 

 change, modification and improvement b}' selection, breeding, feeding 

 and use than the bovines. 



This will be fully illustrated if we compare the small native 

 Asiatic, or even the comparative!}' wild Texas steer, with the Short 

 Horn as a beef animal, or the female of the two former varieties as a 

 milker, with some of our present Ayrshires, Jerseys or Holsteins. 

 There has been not only a general change of type and form, but such a 

 marked modification in the details of the organism that the whole 

 class at the present time may be said to be an artificial production. 

 When the want of the breeder has been a larger butter yield, he has 

 successfully made use of certain agencies and influences and obtained 

 the "- butter cow." When the desired object was a cow of large milk 

 3aeld without regard to quality, he has reached that result. The char- 

 acteristics of milk rich in caseine has been sought and found, and when 

 required, the great tendency to milk has, b}- breeding and treatment, 

 been turned to the production of beef. 



Though these great changes in the race have fitted it to our varied 

 and intensified wants they have undoubtedly weakened its constitution, 

 but especially that of the cow. She is not so sure and constant a breeder 

 as in her primitive state, and her young offspring is weaker and more 

 helpless. She is more liable to a certain class of diseases, as a milker 

 wears ouf quicker, and her life is shorter. But, notwithstanding tliis, 

 our needs not only compel us to take her as she is, but, if possible, to 

 still further inciease her milk production. 



