Deerfoot Farm Centrifugal Dairy. 
481 
calved towards the close of the year in which their first yield 
appears. 
This course of figuring has something to do with the in- 
equality of yields which appear in different years, but the 
character of the season and the times of calving, and other in- 
cidental circumstances, have also to be considered. For the 
purpose of comparison I append the yield of the Waushakum 
herd of Ayrshires for the same years, premising that as a 
general rule for these Ayrshires of mine, either no, or but little, 
grain has been fed, and no soiling crops have been grown. 
^ Years. 
Quarts per Cow 
of Deerfoot Herd 
(Jerseys). 
Quarts per Cow 
of Waushakum 
Herd 
(Ayrshires). 
1872 
2812 
1873 
2050 
2528 
1874 
2377 
2633 
1875 
2215 
1901 
1876 
2712 
2326 
1877 
2475 
2466 
2404 
2160 
1879 
272G 
1903 
Average for seven years 
2423 
2341 
In explanation, we would say that the high price received for 
butter encouraged Mr. Burnett to increase his milk yield to the 
highest point, while the low price of milk encouraged me to obtain 
no more from the Ayrshires than they would give under the ordi- 
nary keeping of pasture in the summer, and hay and corn stover 
in winter. The value of these figures will be better apprehended 
when it is realised that the average yield of herds in the best 
dairy regions of New York is not in excess of 1300 quarts per 
cow ; the average yield of superior herds in the same region is 
not in excess of 1800 quarts per cow ; and the highest possible 
average yields of the best herds is not in excess of 2300 quarts 
for the best dairy regions. Whatever is more than this comes 
from the diffusion of thoroughbreds. 
Nor will it be proper to assume that this herd yield applies 
generally to the Jersey breed. In the absence of figures to the 
contrary, we may say that it is so exceedingly exceptional that 
it has been brought about in this one case only, and this through 
most attentive care to breeding and the most rigorous series of 
selection. 
While the Ayrshire results may be considered as of true breed 
significance, these Jersey results must be esteemed as of herd 
significance only. The Ayrshire cow is a large milker through 
VOL. XVIII. — S. S, 2 I 
