A. and J. McFarlane’s Prize Ayrshires.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 849, 8 June 1888, Page 18

A. and J. McFarlane’s Prize Ayrshires.

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HERD. In the colonies the ordinary treatment of cattle involves in their selection oonßiderations of hardness and robnst constitution Bufficient to enable the beasts to rough it, as they are almost invariably compelled to do ; and hence it is that purchasers are chary of investing money in pure-bred stock—no matter what.the breed—because of their supposed inherent delicacy. J This belief, though long ago practically shown to be in a great degree unfounded, still obtains, and certainly the Ayrshires, although natives of a Sootoh county where the climate is, during five months of.the year, the reverse-of genial, have not escaped the rep.roach. ' It is sufficiently well .known to graziers that in the beginning of winter delicate cattle ‘ fall to pieces,' and at.no other period is delicacy of constitution so manifested. The change from ;sutn‘mer heat to the chilly blasts of autumn and early winter spots out the tender beasts unmistakably, and it is the fear of this that acts as a deterrent on wouldbe purchasers.: A' knowledge'of the existence of such apprehensions suggested an inspection of the Messrs Me Far lane’s"Ayrshires on the stud farm,. Ayrshire Park, at this season of the year. The herd, it is needless to say, has long been famed for successes unrivalled in the show rings of the colon;, and 'has already an established reputation in Australia ; the object', of- the writer, however, was to note the present'condition and everyday treatment of thb cattle, and communicate the results of his observations to the public. ■ 1 , ' The principal stud bull in use until lately, and still fully employed as the herd increases, is White Prince ll—sire White Prince, a bull of noted repute in Scotland; dam Fancy I of Bogside (671 Ayrshire Herd 'Book), her sire Aucliiudennan (1 Ayrshire Herd Book), Vlh 1881 Fancy was placed first at' Dundonald, first at Kilmarnock, and first at Irvine. In ISB2 she won the Dundonald Derby against her), and same year was first as best cow in milk. Messrs MoFarlane paid well into three figures for her, and consider was cheap at the money, as she gave birth to White Prince II in the quarantine ground a few days after being landed. White Prince II is a most attractive bull, standing on nice squarely set short legs, and with grand quarters. Having been specially retained for stud purposes, iu which he has given a good account of himself, as his progeny testifies, he has never been exhibited:

Another bull m use is Young Baron 11, a very dark brown aud white. A bull of true Ayrshire character, active and robust. Ho was bred by the owners, aud has greatly distinguished himself in the show ring. His sire, Young Baron, a bull with unbeaten record in the colony, sold to a Sydney buyer for 150 guineas ; dam of Young Baron 11, Mattie, grauddain Alice, a frequent winner, out of Queen of the West. The third stud bull, and deservedly a favorite, is Breadelben, a brown and white ; bred by the Messrs McFarlane. His sir, Teviot, dam Killock 11, whose pedigree will be found below. Teviot was by Baron 11 of Drumlanrig (bred by Duke of Buccfeuch and Queensbury). Baron II won many prizes, in Scotland. Among the young bulls and bull calves one about 15 months is very noticeable for great merit. His. darn,'Edith ; sire. White Edith out of Nelly ; g-g-dam Daisy. Another calf about five months old claims notice. He is by Ayrshire Jack ; dam Eva, by Scottie ; g-dam Maud. Ayrshire Jack’s sire Teviot; dam Blue Bells.

Of the cows Killock II claims first attention, because of her grnndstyle and symmetry-. She is one of the. firm’s most fatuous importations. In 1882 she was first in Kilmarnock Derby, also first as a three.year-old cow in calf at same place ; first in Ayrshire Derby at Ayr (87 competitors), aud first as a three-year-old cow in milk same meeting; also, first as one of a pair of three-year-elds in milk, aud first as one of five in milk same.time and place. Her dam, Killock I (Nor 230 Ayreshire Herd Book), was first at Kilmarnock in the Derby 1576 ; first as a three-year old in milk, and Highland Society’s medal as beßt Ayrshire cow. In 1877 was first as cow in calf at Ayr, and Highland Society's medal; and first at Kilbride as cow in milk. In 1878 was first as cow in oalf at Kilmarnock.

Favourite, another imported cow of wellknown repute, was bred by Mr Cochrane, of Nethercraig,' Favourite has been very successful in the show ring in the Colony, having beefi placed first;at Dunedin in 1887 as Ayrshire cow in milk. She throws splendid atook, all her progeny having been first-class.

Rosy Kinross II is a grand red and white five-year-old cow, by Teviot, dam Rosy Kinross.* Verbena, a very attractive stylish cow, and with a magnificent vessel, has many admirer?. She is out of Kate. Verbena’s sire Ayrshire King* g-dam Dandy 111, g-g-dam Duchess, g-g-g-dam Dandy (imp). Victoria II is another prize-winner, and in this bears out the reputation of her dam and g-dam. She is by Young Baron, darn Victoria I, by Cashmere Jaok (imp), g-dam Mary, by Baron of Drnmlanrig, (imp). Queen of the West is . a brown and white, with a grand head and the horns beautifully set on. She has distinguished herself as champion . cow at Dunedin in ISS7. She is by Baron Oyhill (imp), dam Violet IV, by Cashmere Jack (imp), g-dam Violet I, by Baron II of Drumlanrig, g-g-------dam Beauty (imp). Favourite 111, a beautiful three-year-old, newly calved and carrying a splendidly-formed vessel, is by White Prince II; her dam Favourite I (imp). Another newly-calved heifer’ of great merit is Rosiualll, by White Priuoe, d»m Eosina I, by Duke of Buccleuch, by Teviot. Rosina 111 and Favorite 111 are the first of the White Prince II heifers that have calved, and they afford undeniable evidence of the value of the sire to the Colony. Beatrice, a brown and white heifer, is all over the grand heifer she proved herself to be by winning as a two-year-old . first prize at Oamaru, and first at Dunedin in 1887. Edith 11, by White Prince, was just beaten by Beatrice, being second at Dunedin ISS7. Of the younger heifers, Killock 111, a little over a year old, is a youngster of great promise, as will be understood when it is mentioned that she is by White Prince 11, and ont of Killock 11. Fancy.ll, acother yearling by Breadalben, possesses great merit, many good judges holding the opinion that she will excel her dam, Fancy I, of Bogstde. Verbena II is a very taking heifer, and with a very attractive countenance. She is out of Verbena I, champion cow in milk at Dunedin ISS6, and her sire White Prince 11. Another prizetaker as a yearling must not be passed unnoticed. This heifer, Mayflower 11, out of Mayflower I and by White Priuce 11, was first at Oamaru and first at Taieri in ISS7. A very prominent characteristic of the younger animals of this herd, including seven bulls and 25 heifer calves, is their uniform, straight, shapely character —ample evidence that while showyard distinctions have been naturally held in estimation,, the maintenance of’ the typical characteristics of the breed has been steadily kept in view; and the young stock therefore will not bring discredit on their ancestry. Very desirable as show ring successes are—and the Messrs McFarlane’a herd has had, it will be conceded, an exceptionally large share of these —great care has been taken to breed the profitable type of Ayrshire, and this should be a prominent consideration with a’l breeders who aspire to a leading position and hope to maintain it. In regard to the general-management of the herd, it may be explained that the animals are studiously kept in a natural state and not pampered in any way. The calves are reared on the pail until three months old, then weaned, have the run of the pasture, and in winter are housed at night and fed with the other young stock. During winter ali the young cattle are under cover at night in a jlarge airy shed, where they are given sliced turnips and hay, and occasionally a feed of turnips and chaff steamed. The cows in milk, having to pay their way at the pail, are liberally fed on turnips and mangolds, cabbages, and hay in winter, :and a feed daily of the steamed mixture, and of course have a ran on the pastures in daytime. The dry cows in calf and heifers are net housed, but when feed is short and the weather severe have turnips given them. The cow houses, btables, and sheds are excellently arranged, and -a number of looseboxes are now in course of erection. As much dependence is placed on the profits realised from milk and butter, the dairy is exceedingly well designed. It is a concrete building throughout, the walls 18 i-.ichea thick and plastered ; the windows, glass inside and perforated zinc outside. There is a revolving ventilator in the centre of the roof, and underneath the building a concrete tank to hold water. The shallow pan system _of setting milk is-followed, and all the interior of the dairy and the dairy accessories are exquisitely tidy, and reflect great credit on Mrs Laidlaw, the wife of the farm manager. The growing crops on the farm which came under observation were turnips, man. golds and cabbages, all for cattle food, thoroughly well tilled and absolutely free from weeds. Some disappointment mast, however, be confessed to. On a farm stocked with so many valuable cattle one expected to see a few acres o: tares about ready for cutting and another few acres of the winter variety in braird as a provision for spring wants,but this forage crop has not yet had a trial The pastures have still thin late in the season an excelientsoleof grass, although they are comparatively new. They are perfectly free from weeds, and in tceeoing witn everv part of the farm visited,. It should be mentioned, however, that Mr Laidlaw was compelled to cut down the docks iu summer with a back delivery reaper in one held, so; plentiful were they. The great piles of roots near the homestead indicate that much expenditure must have been incurred in cleaning the Ayrshire Park paddocks, but the evidences of efficient management are everywhere, and there is little doubt of theneoessary outlay being duly repaid. - Abbreviated Irom the Otago Witness.