TIIOROUQII-BRED STOCK. 23 



England, is owing to the efforts of breeders yet living in our 

 State and those contiguous to it. The successful efforts of the 

 Messrs. Lathrop, of South Hadlej Falls, Mass., and Benjamin 

 Sumner, of Woodstock, Connecticut, to breed this %e stock to 

 flesh and milk are worthy of the highest commendation, and we 

 see, with pleasure, that Mr. Whitman, of Fitchburg, whose fine 

 herd of over 50 head came under our consideration, is vieing 

 with other good breeders to restore to our Short-horns their milk- 

 ing qualities, of which, by continuous breeding for beef pur- 

 poses they have, in a measure, been despoiled. 



The origin of the Ayrshire cow is even yet a matter of dis- 

 pute, but is comparatively recent, as writers on cattle, not long 

 previous to the beginning of the present century, do not mention 

 the Ayrshire as one of the recognized breeds of Scotland, but 

 they undoubtedly arose from an admixture of the native cattle 

 with some improved breeds. Tradition refers to an early im- 

 portation of Alderneys to the parish of Dunlop, which first be- 

 came distinguished for its cows and produce of its dairy, and 

 tradition appears to be confirmed in the minds of some, by what 

 is considered a similarity between the Alderney breed and the 

 modern Ayrshire ; but more recent criticism leads to the conclu- 

 sion that the improvements in the Ayrshire stock was effected 

 by a cross with compact Short-horn bulls, descended from good 

 milking families, and from this cross came the shape, color, and 

 milking qualities of the modern Ayrshire cow. They first be- 

 gan to be imported here in 1831, and have not lost by contact 

 with our climate in stamina and form, though probably they do 

 not yield as much milk as in the moister air of Scotland. The 

 best importations have been into Massa-chusetts, none exceeding 

 those of Mr. Gushing, of Watertown, near Boston, prior to 183T; 

 and the herd of Mr. Birnie, of Springfield^ has disseminated its 

 progeny all over the country, and stands, at present, unrivalled 

 for excellence. We are glad to see the fine herd of Capt. Miles, 

 at Fitchburg, and among it animals second to none in the country. 



The Alderneys — or as they are now designated, the /(??*««y5 — 



