The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-02-25
Ayrshire Points.
BY Dir STURTENANT,
concluded.

that average which a COW holds, when in
good flesh at calving and literally fed
while in milk
am uopreparcd TO give the average
weight of the Ayrshire COW or bull. ln
our own herd COWS weigh from 800 to
$50 lbs. when in milk, and the average is
about $40.
Although not connected with my sub
ject, yet as it may be matter Of inter-
est, l will give few cases Of the yield Of
superior cows. One COW, Of the Ma
plewood Herd" Fitchburg, Mass, Beau
ty by name, gave in 1869 and 20, 81
oil lbs. of milk in 1870 and III ,922
lbs, and in 1871 and 10, 1895 lbs, or
an average of 1890 lbs, or about 3,GOo
quarts year for three years Beauty
is now | years old, and weighs 9S5 lbs,
and was 1876 days in milk on the average
oach year Queen Of Ayr, of &" Wausha-
kun Herd" South birmingham, Mass,
six years old, weight 925 lbs. gave in
1870, $500 lbs. ; in 1871, 7,I35 lbs,
or an average Of 1865 lbs, or about 81
ga quarts year, milking on the aver
age 327 days year. Five cows gave in
1870, year of exceptional dryness, an
average of 6 9S4 lbs. each, and in 1911
year of remarkable drought, G,099 lbs.
each, From the nine months Of 1872.
which we have recorded, we estimate the
yield of five COWS, for this year, to be
about 100 lbs. apiece. These figures
are not given for the average OF any herd,
but only as an instance to illustrate the
breed. Many statements will 90 higher
many results will be much lower.
The value of the Ayrshire COW to the
American dairyman can scarcely be over
rated In introducing animals of this
breed, either as thoroughbreds or crosses,
he is making a practical use of the years
of effort of other farmers, which were re-
quired to bring this breed to its present
perfection. With increased population
and new markets, the farming customs Of
many districts are changing. Spccialtes
are the order Of the day, and, to many,
open avenues to competence. The dairy
farmers in New York. with rare energy
and collective action, have made the
cheese factory and creamery familiar to
almost every large dairy ncighborhood,
have eased the toll of the farmers family
and increased the farmers profits. Their
example, fast spreading, overleaped the
bounds of nationality into Canada, cross
ed the ocean to England's shore and in
our own country, from the nearer east to
the rcmoter west, factories multiply with
the passing years The effect is already
seen in reduced prices for dairy products.
Consumption does not keep pace with
production. The farmer, in converting
his milk into butter or cheese, is receive
ing less than two cents quart for his
milk. Yet the wages of labor are GER
tainly not lowering; the cos. Of living is
greater, as population and luxury comes
nearer. The time for improved farming
is now at hand; the necessity Of our time
will soon demand it, The farm poorly
carried on will change ownerships until
it comes into possession of one who rec
ognizes the demands of his shines, and
skillfully meets them. The factory sys-
tenn of marketing milk is introducing a
state of things which will render it i'm
possible for any dairy farmer to keep
poorer stock than his neighbors In
creasing population, spreading toward the
country from larger cities, and the devel-
opment of smaller manufacturing centers,
is enhancing the value of land, and thus
increasing the capital invested in the
farm. Profit from the farm will become
yearly more difficult to make, and only
improved measures, taken by thoughtful
persons, will yield a return. Thus, not
only education, which the system of our
country affords, but intelligence, from
natural causes, will be more widespread,
and the conditions are thus developing
for the formation of native American
dairy breed and | cannot but believe ii
is already under process of formation.
When formed, it will be adapted to the
American climate and American care
and will undoubtedly be useful breed
1t may be better acclamated than the re-
cent importations, but it requires less eff.
fort to acclimatze valuable breed than
to form one. The dairy farme. who now
uses good milking Ayrshires, and breeds
either to pedigree or for grades, is re.
ceiving the advantages at the present
time, in advance of his neighbor who
blindly waits for fate to compel him
though tribulation and toll, to slowly
build up his improved breed.
The American COW will be formed from
the present stock Of the country, by com.
plicated and unknown crosses by sel6c.
ton and by pedigree. Failures will find
their way to the butcher the better COW
will be retained. As good qualities in.
crease, farmer will breed for some gen,
eratioDs in or towards one line, until fin
ally "a Bakewell or Colling will be found
who will establish pedigree or the trans.
mission of ancestral excellencics This
is slow and uncertain process. Selec
ton, aided by thoughtful crossing with
thoroughbreds, would act more vigorous
ly, and would hasten the result if Judi
cious counsel prevailed. The most i'm
portant requisites are, however, three il
number. First, that the farmer should
generally recognize the faiings of hi,
present animals second, he should know
the capabilities of thoroughbreds and
third, should have definite understand
ing as to what sort of a COW he desires.
The first can be readily learned by
weighing his milk for one year. 1t is
very easily done. A pair offspring scale,
is hanging in the barn, the pail is hung
on, and the weight recorded on a piece
Of paper kept nailed to a hanging board
This requires but little trouble, and soor
becomes habit and as the pail used i,
nf uniEor ,rninht thn no,u,s LII e al :.