AYRSHIRE BULL
"ERRANT-
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HEIFERS IN PADDOCK
AYRSHIRE HEIFER.
twelve out of the forty-three were landed alive and so badly bruised that half of them died soon after they were got ashore. These cattle were insured, but no insurance could compensate for the disappointment caused, and the loss of business entailed, The Company continued to import cattle from Australia for some years. Several batches were also obtained from America. Then it was decided to place orders in Scotland for some of the best possible Ayrshires, and in Holland for a number of the finest Holsteins. It may here be said that all cattle imported from Scotland and Holland were selected by the Company's own employees or by the best qualified agents. Happily and especially so for the invalids and children of Hong Kong this departure proved highly successful, for at the end of 1914 some 106 Ayrshires were secured and since then it has been impossible to obtain from the United Kingdom freight for cattle. Some of the best strains of the Aryshires and Holstein breeds of dairy cattle are now in the Company's herds. It has been a constant endeavour to breed these cattle so as to pro- duce a large yield of milk having a high percentage of butter fat. All stud animals must conform to a very high standard before taking their places in the herd. The result of this grading up of the stock has been so advan- tageous that the price of milk has remained at the same figure since 1903, although, as already pointed out, wages, foodstuffs and general charges have generally doubled in cost. The Company is able to say that its milk is the only item of food supply in Hong Kong the price of which was not raised during the Great War, and the directors take special pride in this fact as they have always felt that the Company's goods should be within the scope of every individual in the Colony.
A more extended reference to the two celebrated breeds of cattle above referred to will perhaps be acceptable.
AYRSHIRE CATTLE.
As the name denotes, this breed originates from the county of Ayr, in the S.W. of Scotland, where there are many valuable herds. The Ayrshire is a handsome and stylish animal and possesses a sound and hardy constitu- tion, with ability to exist on the rough forage natural to the high lying exposed country in which she originates. Yet she is able to give a good yield of rich milk. She responds readily to good conditions and treatment. The Ayrshire is the favoured dairy cow in cheese-making districts. The first imports by the Dairy Farm Co. of pedigreed Ayrshires came from America and then from Australia. It was not until 1902 that it was decided to import the best animals possible from Scotland. The first batch arrived
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