18 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jaw., 1898. 
AYRSHIRE CATYLE. 
ty connection with the illustrations of Ayrshires in thejlast number of this 
Journal, we have been favoured by the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. 
A. J. Thynne, M.L.C., with the following recommendation by a committee of 
the Ayrshire Agricultural Association appointed to revise the points of 
excellence in the Ayrshire herd of cattle :— 
AYRSHIRE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
POINTS OF EXCELLENCE IN AYRSHIRE CATTLE. 
Report to the general annual meeting of 19th February, 1884, of the 
committee appointed at general annual meeting of 30th January, 1883, to 
revise the points indicating excellence in the Ayrshire breed of cattle, and to 
consider other matters connected therewith. 
The committee have made full inquiry in their separate districts, and have 
themselves carefully considered the questions submitted to them. They 
recommend that the memorandum of 1853 be amended as hereinafter set forth, 
There is added a ratio scale of points, to indicate relative importance. 
For the present they refrain from passing any opinion upon the Guenon 
system or escutcheon theory, but owners may well test its value iu their own 
herds. 
In the course of inquiry and consultation, it occurred to your committee 
that either the Herd Book Society or some other permanent body in connection 
with the association should be retained to investigate all matters concerning 
the breed. The “Ayrshire” grows in favour year by year, not only at home, 
but abroad ; it adapts itself apparently to any extreme of climate, and to an 
quality of soil. Whether for milk, or butter, or cheese, it seems to serye the 
dairyman better than any of its rivals. Therefore, in its home, the west of 
Scotland, there ought to be a special body taking special note of all that bears 
upon its improvement. The committee, therefore, beg to suggest that this be 
considered, 
THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROPOSED RATIO SCALE OF POINTS. 
Points. 
1. Head short, forehead wide, nose fine between the muzzle and 
eyes, muzzle large, eyes full and lively, horns wide set on, 
inclining upwards... a0 ie oe sa uo @ 
2. Neck moderately long, and straight from the head to the top 
of the shoulder, free from loose skin on the underside, fine 
at its Junction with the head, and enlarging symmetrically 
towards the shoulders : one 0) 310 xx: 
C1 
8. Forequarters shoulders sloping, withers fine, chest sufficiently 
broad and deep to insure constitution, brisket and whole 
forequarters light, the cow gradually increasing in depth 
and width backwards ae od noo.) oa eg 
OL 
4. Back short and straight; spine well defined, especially at 
the shoulders, short ribs arched, the body deep at the 
flanks ... ate ns ok ox: ox Hee an 140) 
5. Hindquarters long, broad, and straight; hook bones wide 
apart, and not overlaid with fat; thighs deep and broad, | 
tail long, slender, and set on level with the back... cn 8 
