12 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS I 



Hereford Cow. 



is rather gaining ground on its great rival. Has the latter any links yet to let 

 out ? : 



The Galloway breed of cattle is well known for various valuable qualities, 

 and easily distinguished by the want of horns. It is broad across the back, with' 

 a very slight curve between the head and quarters, broad at the loins, the whole 

 body having a tine round appearance. The head is of a moderate size, with large 

 rough ears, chest deep, legs short, and clean in the neck. The prevailing color 

 is black, those of this color being thought the most hardy, although this varies. 

 This breed is highly esteemed, as there is no other kind which arrives at maturi- 

 ty so soon, and their flesh is cf the finest quality. The milk is very fine, but is 

 not obtained in very large quantities. Great numbers of this breed are sent an- 

 nually to Smithfield market ; and it is remarkable that they are generally in as 

 good condition after the journey as before. The Suffolk Dun, also a hornless 

 breed, is supposed to be a variety of the Galloway, from their general resem- 

 blance. 



The Aykshire breed, which is considered the most valuable in Scotland, is of 

 the stnall sized and middle horned race; its origin is unknown, as it has been 

 long settled in the county frciTi which it derives its name. In modern times, the 



^ Ayrshire BulL 



oreed has been improved by judicious selection, coupling, and general treatment. 

 The common characteristics of this excellent variety of Cows are thus described 

 by Mr. Alton in his " Survey of Ayrshire :" — " Head small, rather long and nar- 

 row at the muzzle ; eye small, smart, and lively ; horns small, crooked, and set 

 at considerable distances from each other ; neck long, rather slender, tapering 

 toward the head, with no loose skin below ; shoulders thin ; fore quarters light ; 

 hind quarters large ; back straight, broad behind, the joints rather loose and open ; 

 carcass deep ; legs small, short, with firm joints ; udder capacious, stretching for- 

 ward ; the milk veins large and prominent ; teats short, all pointing outward." 

 Th« Ayrshire Cow is very docile, feeds well, is easily managed, and, as a dairy 

 Cow, is equal to any other. It is inferior, however, for feeding, to the Devon, 

 Kussex, and Hereford breeds. There have been several importations of Ayrshires 

 — one some dozen years ago by A. J. Davie, of N. C. These we saw in Balti- 

 more, as we have several other specimens there, and elsewhere. These were se- 

 lected by Mr. D. in Scotland, and from their appearance, were, as we have 

 thought, among the best specimens- that have beeti brought to this country. — 

 John Ridgely, Esq. of Hampton got this lot, and may, perhaps, have some of the Ir 



