The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-03-06
AYRSHIRE cows.


AYRSHIRE cows.
There are now being formed breed
er's associations in various sections
of the country for almost every kind
of live stock-horses, cattle, sheep
and hogs of their several classes,
poultry, pigeons, dogs, &c, DC, and
in England the list extends to many
of the smaller fry in the scale oflife--
that of cats being one of great prom
inence. We have, however, not got
to that point here. One Of the most
valuable of the bovine race is the
Ayrshire breed Of COWS and New Eng
land association held its annual
meeting at Boston on the 18th of
January for the election of officers
and the transaction of other bust
ness. One hundred and four mem
bers were reported as on the roll of
members.
In an essay by Col. John c. Moore,
read at the meeting, it was claimed
that good treatment and good feeding
were the first essentials of good mich
COWS. In breeding care should be
taken that where there was an excess
of any quality on one side it should
be counterbalanced by a deficiency
in the same points on the other side.
Never breed from animals of i'm
mature age. A bull may show ex-
cellent points at six months, be coars-
err at the age of one year, and still
more Objectionable in makeup when
two years Old, while at three years
his development may be such as to
render him totally unfit for stock
animal. These animals should not
be used until three years old, nor
heifers before reaching the age oftwo
years. 1t has taken generations to oil
tain the present perfection in Ayrshire
stock. A heifer brought in at two
years old will fail at seven, while
one that does not come in before
three will last until twelve years old.
There important considerations are
too often cyerbalanced by the pros
pect of immediate profit. The latter
method was one adopted by the best
early breeders Of Ayrshire stock in
Scotland.
Consequently might not be objec-
tionable under certain circumstances
yet great care should he exercised
that there were no weak points to be
developed through the adoption of
such course. When consanguini-
ty is carried too far it is likely to
develop too much white in the color of
stock, and when this is manifest it is
time to stop. Too much white indi-
Gates delicacy Of constitution. One
farmer he knew breed so closely that
his stock became almost white and
of extremely delicate constitution,
while his neighbors, who changed
their breeding animals were rewarded
with stock Of darker color and of
better constitution. Col. Moore
quoted Agassiz as saying that whit }
color in animals was evidence of
delicacy of constitution. He also
suggested that no animal be allow
ed entry upon the herd book I'M
til reaching the age of two years,
that through maturity its good
or bad points might be well deyel-
oped.
There was considerable dissent
from Col. Moore's ideas as expressed
in his essay. The opinion prevailed
that consanguinity in breeding did
not effect the color, while it was also
agreed that the success of consanguin-
ity depended largely upon the judg-
ment of the breeder. There must
be a similarity of strong points
and which must be avoided in weak
points, lest the latter should be mul-
tiplied.
POVERTY AND SUFFER- NG.-'.I was
dragged down with debt, poverty and
suffering for years, caused by sick
family and large bills for doctoring,
which did them no good 1 was COM
pletely discouraged, until one year ago,
by the advice of my pastor, procured
Hop Bitters and commenced their use
and in one month we were all well, and
none of us have seen sick day since,
and want to say to all poor men, you
can keep your families well year with
! Al l.