228 



MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



forget the 10 quarts. Again, for many years we have kept 

 a more or less accurate recorci of the show-yard career of our 

 leading dairj- animals, but this in turn gives us no information 

 as to their producing powers, for it is now well known that ani- 

 mals with brilliant show-j-ard careers are not among the best 

 producers. 



Fig. 7G. — Ayhshire Cow. Grand Champion National Dairy Show, 1907. 

 Photograph from National Stockman arid Farmer. 



The Ayrshire dair>' cattle originated in the county of .\yr, Scotland, where they 

 arc used chiefly in cheese-making. They a'e trim and neat in appearance. 

 In weight the cows run about 1000 pounds : nd the bulls 1500 poimds. The 

 color includes red, brown, and white. 



As has been noted in the chapter on general breeding, 

 variation is the basis of imjirovcment. Without variation 

 there can be no improvement, and when great variation exists 

 much improvement is po.ssible. Dairy cows vary widely both 

 in respect to the quantity and the quality of their milk. To 



