The following points given by the Ayrshire Agricultural a.s.sociation, 1853, "as indicating superior quality," will give an idea of the standard for Ayrshire cattle, as recognized by the leading breeders:

Head short, forehead wide, nose fine between the muzzle and the eyes; muzzle moderately large, eyes full and lively, horns widely set on, inclining upwards and curving slightly inwards.

Neck long and straight from the head to the top of the shoulders, free from loose skin on the underside, fine at its junction with the head, and the muscles symmetrically enlarging towards the shoulders.

Shoulders thin at the top, brisket light, the whole fore-quarter thin in front and gradually increasing in depth and width backwards.

Back short and straight, spine well defined, especially at the shoulders, short ribs arched, the body deep at the flanks, and the milk-veins well developed.

Pelvis long, broad and straight, hook [or hip] bones wide apart, and not much overlaid with fat, thighs deep and broad, tail long and slender, and set on a level with the back.

Milk-vessel [udder] capacious and extending well forward, hinder-part broad and firmly attached to the body, the sole or under surface nearly level. The teats from two to two and a half inches in length, equal in thickness, and hanging perpendicularly; their distance apart at the sides should be equal to about one-third the length of the vessel, and across to about one-half the breadth.

Legs short, the bones fine and the joints firm.

Skin soft and elastic, and covered with soft, close and woolly hair.

The colors preferred are brown, or brown and white, the colors being distinctly defined. Weight of the animal, when fattened, about forty imperial stones, sinking the offal [that is 560 pounds], the quarters or meat only.

From what has already been said, it will be understood, that the dairy is the leading object with the breeders of Ayrshires. At the same time the fact has not been overlooked, that to breed and perpetuate a profitable dairy stock, regard must be had to hardiness and strength of const.i.tution, and also to such fattening tendencies as will insure a profitable return from calves fattened for veal, from steers reared for beef, and for cows, which having served their turn in the dairy, are at last dried of their milk and prepared for the shambles. The importance of these properties is not sufficiently regarded by keepers of dairy stock in this country. The remark has not unfrequently been heard that the "_looks_ of a cow are nothing." People who hold this absurd notion will never be distinguished for breeding profitable dairy stock. Even if milk were the sole object, it would be impossible to preserve a breed possessing superior qualities, in this respect, without giving attention to those points of form which denote strength of const.i.tution. It has been well observed by Magne, that in the breeding of dairy stock, we should "make choice only of animals possessing the _two-fold character of general vigor, and activity of the mammary system_."

The leading breeders of Ayrshire, in Scotland, have followed these principles to some extent, if not to the full degree to which they should be observed. Hence, they claim a high rank for the breed in reference to general usefulness. Aiton, speaking of what the Ayrshire cow would do, says, "She yields much milk, and that of an oily or butyraceous, or caseous nature, and after she has yielded very large quant.i.ties of milk for several years, she shall be as valuable for beef as any other breed of cows known; her fat shall be much more mixed through the whole flesh, and she shall fatten faster than any other."

Whatever may be said in regard to the extent of these claims, it will be admitted that they indicate the confidence which was long ago placed in the breed in regard to the properties mentioned. Youatt, who wrote twenty-five years after Aiton, says, "The breed has been much improved since Mr. Aiton described it." It is thirty years since Mr. Youatt made this remark, and in this time the breed has been still further improved in reference to general usefulness. I have been a.s.sured by some of the most experienced breeders in Scotland, that while nothing has been lost on the score of dairy properties, considerable has been gained in hardiness and thrift, and in the faculty of giving a greater return, both in milk and flesh, for the food consumed. Of course it is the return obtained in proportion to the food eaten, that const.i.tutes the true criterion of value in all animals.

In Scotland, the calves of the Ayrshire breed, that are not wanted for keeping up the breeding or dairy stock, are either fattened for veal, or turned for beef at an early age. The larger portion, perhaps, of the males are killed for veal. In fact, in some districts, veal is an article of considerable importance, and the ability of Ayrshire cows to make fat calves is considered one of the excellencies of the breed. Thus Haxton observes, "For all medium soils and climates throughout the United Kingdom, there is no breed equal to the Ayrshire, for profit, whether the produce is converted into cheese, b.u.t.ter, or _veal_." A portion of the males are castrated and fattened when about three to three and half years old. Scotch farmers, who are in the practice of fattening stock of various breeds, a.s.sured me that Ayrshire steers of this age fattened to as much profit as any, reaching the weight of 700 to 800 pounds the four quarters, and afforded beef excelled in quality only by the Galloways and the West-Highlanders.

At present the Ayrshire cattle have not been tried in America to a great extent. There have been various importations, mostly made within the last twenty years, and so far as there have been such trials as would justify a conclusion in regard to their merits, they have answered all reasonable expectations. The leading object in keeping them here is the same as it is in Scotland--the dairy--but their ability to fatten readily and make beef of good quality, should be taken into consideration in estimating their value. In regard to the latter property, but few trials have as yet been made here. Most of the males have been kept for bulls, and the females have seldom been fattened till too far advanced in years to breed. It may be worthy of consideration, whether it would not be an object to give some good steers of the breed a fair chance to show what they could make in beef at three to four years old.

It is also desirable to ascertain what are the capabilities of the breed in regard to the performance of labor. On this point we are without any evidence from abroad, as oxen are not worked in Scotland. The results of the few trials that have been made with full-bloods, have been highly favorable in reference to the qualities of the breed for this purpose.

Judging by their points, there is no reason why Ayrshire oxen should not be equal to any others, of their size, for any kind of labor. They have clean, firm legs, well-placed muscles, and are remarkably quick walkers.

The advantages of a Registry, or Herd Book, for this breed of cattle, are too obvious to require argument. For the Short Horns, Herefords, and Devons, registers have been prepared, and the benefits which have been derived therefrom are such as will insure their continuance. An accurate record of the pedigrees of animals, together with a record of such premiums as they may have taken, cannot fail to afford a guide, to some extent, in breeding with reference to special objects--the principle, that "Like begets Like," being admitted as a general law. The subject of publishing a Herd Book for Ayrshires, in Scotland, has been agitated on several occasions, but, down to the present time, no direct action has been taken on it. The enterprise of the American breeders of this variety of cattle, in taking the lead in this matter, is highly creditable, and, if properly followed up, will be sure to bring a just recompense of reward.

S. H.

BOSTON, January 1st, 1863.

FOOTNOTE:

[A] As a further explanation of the preference given by Burns for the "West-Country cows," the writer would mention, that in 1858, he had several interviews with the poet's sister, the late Mrs. Begg, of Ayr, in one of which, she stated that her brother, during his occupancy of the farm of Ellisland, near Dumfries, kept a dairy, and made considerable quant.i.ties of cheese. Thus his efforts to procure the Ayrshire cow, shows that they had, even at that time, a high reputation for this object.

HERD RECORD a.s.sOCIATION

OF

BREEDERS

OF

THOROUGH-BRED NEAT STOCK.

AYRSHIRES.

BULLS.

=1 Albert,=

Brownish red and white; calved Autumn of 1856; bred by JAMES HENDRIE, Drummock, Scotland; imported by the Trustees of the Ma.s.sachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, 1859; owned at the STATE REFORM SCHOOL, Westboro', Ma.s.s.: Sire, Jock, bred by Mr. Borrie, of Riccarton, 2d Sire, Geordie, bred by Mr. Hendrie, Dam, Kirstie, by Geordie, 2d Dam, Nancy, by Kilburnie.

=2 Alfred,=

Brownish red; calved November 18th, 1859; bred by the Trustees of the Ma.s.sachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture; owned by T. W.

PIERCE, Boston: Sire, Troon, 75, Dam, Lily, 129.

=3 Allard,=

Brown, with a little white; calved November 16th, 1859; bred by J. S.

CABOT, Salem, Ma.s.s.; owned by GEORGE B. LORING, Salem, Ma.s.s.: Sire, Ess.e.x, 22, Dam, Margery, 135.

=4 Archie,=

Red and white; calved May 9th, 1862; bred and owned by NATHAN DANE, Jr., Kennebunk, Me.: Sire, Geordie, 23, Dam, Kate, 114.

=5 Argyle,=

White, with yellow and brindle about the head; calved March 18th, 1862; bred and owned by H. H. PETERS, Southboro', Ma.s.s.: Sire, Eglinton, 21, Dam, Brenda, 28.

=6 Argyle,=

Light red and white; calved April 21st, 1859; bred by E. NYE, Clinton, N. J.; owned by THOMAS J. FIELDS and others, Northfield, Ma.s.s.: Sire, Scotland, imported from the Duke of Portland's estate, Ayrshire, by E.

Nye, Dam, Jenny Lind, 101.

=7 Ayrshire Lad,=