HISTORY AND STATISTICS OF THE CATTLE INDUSTRY. 



25 



The dairy productions of this cotintry show a very marked increase from 1860 

 up to 1900. In 1860 they were valued at $240,000,000. increasing- from that amount 

 to $605,000,000 in 1900, being an increase of over two and one-half times in forty 

 years. 



From 1900 to 1910 the increase has been very large. 



In 1850 the amount of cheese produced annually in the United States amounted 

 to but little over one hundred million pounds, which was four and one-half pounds 

 per capita. Today the annual production is nearly three hundred million pounds, 

 which is a little less than four pounds per capita. This shows an increase of nearly 

 three times in total production, but a decrease of one-half pound per capita. 



The statistics as to the production of butter arc just the reverse of this, as the 

 production of butter has risen from thirteen and one-half pounds to nineteen and 

 one-half pounds per capita during this time. 



These statistics only go to show the immensity of the cattle industry of this 

 country, and the increase wdiich has been made during the time wdiich these statistics 

 cover. That the cattle industry has increased to a marvelous e.\tent is known to 

 all. and it is a foregone conclusion that this increase must continue, as the demands 

 for milk and its proditcts, as well as beef, must increase largely with the better 

 methods of living and the increase of the population. The increase must be not only 

 in quantity, but there must also be an improvement in quality. The demand of the 

 present day is for an improvement in everything, and the beef and dairy products 

 cannot be behind the demands of the country. To meet these demands the stock 

 raiser must bend his energies to improve his stock in every way, keeping tliem 

 in a strong, healthy condition, caring for them in a proper manner, and endeavor- 

 ing at all times to produce the best quality possible. At the present time there 

 are 69,000,000 head of cattle in this country, consisting largely of the following 

 breeds ; 



A STUDY OF BREEDS OF CATTLE. 



Ayrshire Cattle. 



This breed of Scotch 

 dairy cattle originated under 

 the rugged conditions of 

 Ayrshire, and in their type 

 and general characteristic 

 they exemplify the form and 

 ;|uality of animals required 

 to make the most econom- 

 ical use of food, and do 

 the best under conditions 

 too severe for finer and 

 more delicate cattle. 



The fine cut features of 

 the face, brightness of eye, 

 upturned horn, thin neck, 

 fine shoulders, good heart 

 and lung capacity, straight 

 l^ack, strong loin, large ab- 

 domen ( showing food capac- 

 ity) long, broad hips, large 

 evenl}' balanced udder, large 

 a soft, loose skin of medium 



Ayrshire . 



well placed teats and well developed mammary 



lands 



thickness covered with a thick coating of fine hair, equal red and white, brown and 

 white, or verging to nearly all white, are the chief characteristics of the breed in 

 appearance. In temperament they are docile, yet in their whole bearing there is a 

 noticeable alertness peculiar to no other breed. 



