FIRST CENTURY OF DAIRYING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



1 hey argue that this system of suckling induces a greater secretion 

 ot saliva, which, by promoting digestion, accelerates the growth and 

 fattening of the young animal. Indeed, calves are much disposed to 

 lick and suckle anything that comes within their reach, which seems 

 to be the way that nature teaches them to secret saliva. 



Reverting again to the Ayrshire, we think that it is very ueneraliy 

 conceded that for purely dairy purposes the Ayrshire cow ' deserves 

 the lirst place. In consequence of her small, symmetrical, and compact 

 body, combined with a well-formed chest and a is stomach, 



there is little waste, comparatively speaking, through the respiratory 

 system, while at the same time there is very complete assimilation of 

 the food, and thus she converts a large proportion of her food into 

 silk. So remarkable is this fact that all dairy farmers who have any 

 experience on the point agree in .stating that" the Ayrshire cow gene- 

 rally gives a larger return of milk dor the food consumed than a cow 

 of any other breed. The absolute quantity may not be so great, but 

 it is obtained at a less cost than most breeds of dairy cattle. 



If we consider the Ayrshire cow as a breeder, we find that when 

 mated with either Jersey, Guernsey, or Shorthorn bulls she wi 1 

 throw a calf of superior quality. She has therefore in this respect a 

 great advantage over other dairy breeds. Sortie of the best dairy 

 cattle in Australia to-day, as in the past, were, grade Ayrshires, larger 

 in size than the pure bloods, but at the same time giving certain 

 signs of their origin in an unmistakable degree. 



Landseer has been recognised the world over as the most exact 

 of all our artists when animals were the subject of his artistic genius. 

 One of his masterpieces is the picture of the " Wild White Cattle of 

 Chillingham Park." Taking the wild bull and cow as they appear 

 in that picture, and you have a perfect description of the forequarters 

 of an Ayrshire bull and cow, according to the opinions of the bc-t 

 judges to-day, notwithstanding their many chaiiL 



The Ayrshire farmers prefer their dairy bulls to possess the 

 feminine aspect in their heads, necks, and forequarters, with broad 

 hook bones and hips, and -full in the flanks ; they likewise pay par- 

 ticular attention to the formation of the small teats of the bull, and 

 also to the color of the scrotum. If this were any other than white, 

 though the animal might otherwise be possessed of great merit, he 

 would immediately be rejected by the best breeder. They also pay 

 great attention- to the formation of the testicles as regards si/.e and 

 formation throughout, although not an infallible sign. 



Unquestionably the Ayrshire bull is a very excellent animal. Ha dy, 

 less dainty as a 'feeder than any other breed of dairy animal, in fact, 

 the Ayrshire generally is a very contented and easily managed animal 

 when properly understood and intelligently managed. 



In color the bulls, like the cows, varies between red and white, 

 brown and white, liver and white, yellow and white, and even black 

 and white. There should be no intermingling of color ; each color 

 should stand out boldly and distinctly. The Heeked spots should 

 be defined by two borderings, so to speak, and the 'dollar spots'* 

 should appear as indents in the skin. These " Heeked" and " dollar 

 spots," as already mentioned, are undoubtedly the indications of the 

 blood of their ancient ancestry, to wit, the wi'd white cattle of Chil- 

 lingham Park and the black Mini aboriginal cattle of the Highlands. 



"The udder of the Ayrshire cow." says Dr. Sturtevant. "a'though 

 differing in outward shape in individuals, it yet retains a certain uni- 

 formity which may IK- considered typical. Tin- N in the gland of 

 the teat. The glands are rather flattened than pointed, or elongated. 

 .is in other brands. They are well held up to the body, and in tin- 

 types of the breed extend far -forward and back, with a broad and 



[22. 



