346 Cattle. 
many, fine young cows with their firstlings, we certainly never 
had seen any thing that could compare with these. In answer 
to an inquiry which we made of him, the cowherd assured us 
that one of them gave 20 quarts a day, and the other 24 quarts." 
The Ayrshire cow is not large, but beautiful in form and color, 
and makes ample amends for the absence of great size by her 
copious contributions to the pail. 
" The origin of the Ayrshire cow," says Youatt, " is even at 
the present day a matter of dispute; all that is certainly known 
about her is, that a century ago there was no such breed in Cun- 
ningham or Ayrshire, or Scotland." It is asserted by Quade, 
who wrote the Agricultural Survey of Jersey, " that the Ayrshire 
was a cross between the short horned breed and the Alderney." 
And Count De Gourcey seems to be of the opinion, as he says, 
'" there is a considerable affinity between the two breeds." 
Mr. Robertson, in his Rural Recollections, conjectures, " that 
they are either of the Holderness breed, or derived from it; 
judging from the varied color, or from somewhat better evidence, 
the small head and slender neck, in which they bear a striking 
resemblance to them." 
There is no doubt but that it is an artificial variety, but, as 
Prof. Low observes, " authentic records are wanting to show by 
what progressive steps it has been moulded into its present form." 
" Tradition," continues Mr. Low, " refers to an importation of 
individuals of the Alderney breed to the parish of Dunlop, which 
became first distinguished for its cows and the produce of its 
dairy. The tradition is almost confirmed by the similarity ex- 
isting between the Alderney breed and the modern Ayrshire, which 
is so great as to lead us independently of tradition, to the conclu- 
sion, that the blood of the one has been largely mingled with 
that of the other." 
Prof. Low concludes by saying that, " from all the evidence, 
which in the absence of authentic documents the case admits of, 
the dairy breed of Ayrshire cows owes the characteristics which 
distinguish it from the older race, to a mixture with the blood of 
d^ races of the continent, and the dairy breed of Alderney." 
The modern breed has, no doubt, been improved by jifcicious 
selection, coupling, and general treatment. The prevailing color 
of those which have fallen under our observation, is red and white, 
