present time are the Messrs Cruickshank, Sittyton. Their fame is
European; they own the largest herds of shorthorns in the world. It is
only necessary to name "Fairfax Royal," "Prince Edward Fairfax,"
"Velvet Jacket," "Matadore," "Lord Sackville," the "Baron" by "Baron
Warlaby," "Master Butterfly," the "2d John Bull," "Lancaster Comet,"
"Lord Raglan," "Ivanhoe," "Lord Garlies," "Malachite," "Windsor
Augustus," "Sir James the Rose," and last, though not least,
"Forth"--to show the distinguished position their herd has taken.
Suffice it to say that no other breeder of shorthorns can claim having
owned such an array of first-class bulls. Amongst the eminent breeders
of shorthorns, Mr Campbell, Kinellar, occupies a distinguished place. I
believe no one is a better judge of shorthorns, and no other has been
more successful as a breeder. Mr C. began to breed this class of stock
about twenty years ago, and "Lord Scarboro'," "Mosstrooper,"
"Beeswing," "Garioch Boy," "Scarlet Velvet," and "Diphthong," are some
of the celebrated bulls that have been introduced into the herd.
"Scarlet Velvet" and "Diphthong" gained the Aberdeenshire challenge-cup
in 1862-63. At his annual sales his bull calves bring high prices; for
some as much as sixty, eighty, and a hundred guineas each have been
paid. His stock has for years taken a high position in our show-yards.
Mr George Shepherd, Shethin, who succeeded his father-in-law, Mr Wm.
Hay, had one of the largest herds of shorthorns, which were mostly sold
off some years ago. Mr Shepherd's herd was of the highest blood, and
won many prizes. The bull "Cherry Duke the Second," bred by Mr Bolden
and bought by Mr Shepherd, jun., from Mr Atherston, was invincible.
After gaining every prize in the north and the challenge-cup at
Aberdeen, he finished his honourable career as a prize-winner at
Edinburgh, when, in 1859, he took the first prize in the aged bull
class. Mr Milne of Kinaldie is an eminent breeder of shorthorns; he has
distanced all other competitors with his cows. Mr Marr, Uppermill, has
got some of the very best shorthorns in the country; and his brother Mr
Marr, Cairnbrogie; Mr Scott, Glendronach; Mr Bruce, Broadland; and Mr
Mitchell, Haddo--are all eminent breeders of shorthorns. Their bull
calves command high prices at their annual sales. In Banffshire we have
that veteran and successful breeder, Mr Longmore, Rettie, whose stock
has long borne a high character. In Morayshire we have two eminent
breeders--Mr Geddes of Orbliston and Mr M'Kessock, Balnaferry, who have
everything their own way in the show-yard north of the Spey. Mr Geddes
stood at the top of the Highland Society's prize-list at the Inverness
show as the owner of the best aged shorthorned bull, and was a winner
along with Mr John M'Kessock in the class of shorthorned heifers. Mr
Stronach of Ardmellie was a successful breeder of shorthorns. He sold
off his stock some years ago. His farm was only 100 acres, but his
stock fetched high prices. One yearling quey brought L54, and a cow
L53. The proceeds of the sale amounted to about L1000--a large sum,
considering the smallness of the farm. Mr Stronach was for many years a
successful competitor at the local shows, and sold a cow to Mr
Cruickshank that carried the first prize at one of the Highland
Society's shows at Aberdeen. Mr Stronach crossed the yellow Highland
cows and heifers with shorthorn bulls, and the result was very
successful. Mr Stronach was also an exhibitor at the Paris show.
I have only glanced at the breeders of shorthorns in the north; in
conclusion, I may notice some of those noblemen and gentlemen who have
distinguished themselves as breeders of Aberdeen and Angus polled
cattle. Among these the late Hugh Watson, Keillor, deserves to be put
in the front rank. No breeder of polled Aberdeen and Angus will grudge
that well-merited honour to his memory. We all look up to him as the
first great improver, and no one will question his title to this
distinction. There is no herd in the country which is not indebted to
the Keillor blood. For many a long year Mr Watson carried everything
before him. He began to exhibit in 1810, and won during his lifetime
some 200 prizes for cattle, sheep, and cart and thoroughbred horses.
The heifers which he exhibited at Perth in 1829 were greatly admired;
and the Smithfield heifer of '29 was so good that she was modelled, and
her portrait is in the volume 'Cattle' of the publications of the
Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. He gained the Pureell
challenge-cup at Belfast for an Angus ox, which was kept by the Prince
Consort at the Royal Farm, Windsor, till his death, when his age was
seventeen. As an example of the longevity of the race, Mr Watson's
celebrated cow, "Old Grannie," the first cow in the Polled Herd Book,
died at thirty-five years of age. Mr Watson bred many celebrated bulls,
but "Old Jock" was _facile princeps_. He carried everything before
him, and in 1844 was sold for a hundred guineas--a large price at that
time. To "Angus," who fell into my hands, I am indebted for some of the
best blood in the male line. Mr Watson also bred "Strathmore,"
"Windsor," "Pat," and "Second Jock," which last beat all the bulls in a
sweepstake at Perth in 1852, after he was thirteen years old.
Mr Bowie, of Mains of Kelly, has been a most successful and energetic
breeder of polled cattle. To him I am indebted for "Hanton," who, with
"Angus" and "Panmure" in the male line, were my "herds' fortunes." He
also bred "Cup-Bearer," who did so much good for Lord Southesk's herd.
"Second Earl Spencer" and "Cup-Bearer" were 1st and 2d prize bulls at
Berwick. At our national shows Mr Bowie has been the most successful
prize-taker in the Bull classes. Where he has exhibited he has
generally carried the first honours. At Aberdeen, at Berwick, at
Dumfries, and at the Royal Agricultural Society of England, his bulls
were invincible. It is most deeply to be regretted that the plague got
into his stock, and he has sustained a heavy loss. Still he came out
better than any of his neighbours. He saved twenty-three cattle; and
his herd will, I trust, in a few years attain its wonted position. I
have drawn, at one time or another, largely from Mr Bowie's stock, and
have paid him high prices--as high as a hundred guineas for bulls, and
forty, fifty, and sixty guineas for females. Mr Bowie is one of the
best judges of Aberdeen and Angus cattle in Scotland.
Lord Southesk was one of our most enterprising breeders of polled
stock; and before the plague decimated his fine herd last year, it was
almost the best in the land. There has been a herd of pure Angus cattle
at Kinnaird for fifty years; but when his lordship succeeded to the
property it got a fresh start. He introduced "Cup-Bearer" by "Pat" from
Mr Bowie's herd, and he did good service. The well-known "Druid," of
show-yard celebrity, was descended from "Cup-Bearer" and from "Dora,"
bred to Mr Ruxton of Farnell. "Windsor" was afterwards introduced. He
was bought from George Brown, Westerton of Fochabers, for two hundred
guineas, and took the first prize at Edinburgh in the aged bull class;
the silver medal to the breeder came to Tillyfour. He was carried off
by the plague, at nine years of age, last winter at Kinnaird. "Druid"
was a great prize-winner, and gained more than L100 in his different
journeys, and a host of medals. The Kelso heifers were very superior,
and "Quadrona" gained the first prize at Smithfield in the female
polled class. It is deeply to be regretted that Lord Southesk's fine
herd suffered so heavily by the rinderpest. This has been indeed a
national loss. Lord Southesk spared no expense in purchasing the finest
animals, and had an able assistant in his brother, the Hon. Charles
Carnegie, M.P., who is not only a good judge, but knows the pedigrees
of the different polled herds better than any other man.
William Fullerton, late of Mains of Ardovie, now of Mains of Ardestie,
was a celebrated breeder of Angus cattle; but pleuro-pneumonia got into
his herd, and he lost no fewer than eighty cattle by the disease. One
bull that recovered was good enough to go to Glasgow and take the first
prize in the aged bull class. His bull "Panmure" gained the first prize
at the Highland Society's Show at Dundee in the aged bull class, and Mr
Fullerton also carried off the prize for the three best cows. "Panmure"
was sold to the late Mr Taylor, Wellhouse, Alford, and some of my best
stock trace their descent from "Panmure." The late Lord Panmure sent
the late Mr Phillip, the great painter, to Wellhouse, to take the
bull's portrait. Not satisfied with Mr Phillip's first sketch, he sent
him back; and Mr Phillip lived at Wellhouse for weeks, and painted
"Panmure" a second time. Mr Fullerton is one of our best judges, and to
him I am indebted for my best stock in the female line. It was at his
sale I purchased the "Queen," whose descendants in the female line
have, except in two or three solitary cases, driven competition before
them in Scotland, England, and France. Many of my best stock trace
their pedigree from the "Queen."
The Ballwyllo herd have long been celebrated, and were a tower of
strength at the Angus Agricultural Society's shows. The late Mr Robert
Scott was a most enthusiastic and successful breeder. The prizes gained
by the Ballwyllo herd were very numerous. At Aberdeen, in 1847, Mr
Robert Scott gained the first prize for a cow from the Highland
Society; and at Windsor, in 1851, he gained the first prize in the cow
class for the same animal, which was bred at Tillyfour. He also gained
the first prize in the aged bull class at Perth, and the first prize in
the yearling heifer class. Both animals were bred at Ballwyllo. The
Ballwyllo stock have taken a prominent place at Dumfries, and at the
Royal Northern Agricultural Society's shows. Since Mr Robert Scott's
death, Mrs Scott, his mother, has most enthusiastically stuck to the
Angus Doddies; but it is a matter of deep regret that she also was a
severe sufferer by the rinderpest.
Mr Mustard, Leuchland, is a very old breeder, and I believe no purer
stock exist in Forfarshire. Mr Mustard never forces his stock for the
show-yard, and seldom sends any except to the county show, where they
are always winners. I have often admired the purity, style, and
condition--as it ought to be in a breeding stock--of the Leuchland
herd. Mr Lyell, of Shielhill, brother of Sir Charles Lyell, has a very
good herd of polled Angus cattle. His bull "Prospero" gained the first
prize at Perth in the two-year-old class, and at Battersea Park he won
the first prize in the aged bull class. Mr Leslie of the Thorn is also
a most successful breeder. He came out so strong at Stirling that he
beat all and sundry for yearling bulls, and followed up his conquests
by selling "President the Fourth" at an almost fabulous price.
From Angus we come north to Kincardine, and we there find the
celebrated breeder since 1826, Mr Robert Walker, Portlethen. It would
be endless to attempt to sum up his victories, local, national, and
international, they are spread over such a large surface. Mr Walker was
a most successful competitor at the International Show at Paris, and
refused L230 for his prize bull. His bull "Porty" was sent to Inverury,
and took the first prize. There was no Aberdeen show at that time. "The
Banks of Dee" carried everything before him, and his descendants gained
seven firsts and a second in one year in the show-yard; but although Mr
Walker had never bred another animal save "Fox Maule," his celebrity as
a breeder would have been established. "Fox Maule" was one of the best
polled bulls ever exhibited. Mr Hector, late in Fernyflat, was a very
celebrated breeder of polled cattle, and his stock was of the very
highest order, and gained many prizes at our national shows. The
Crathes stock is of long standing. The late Sir Thomas Burnett was a
most successful breeder, and stood in the front rank for many a long
year. The Crathes herd was a tower of strength, and under the able
management of Mr John Davidson they were dangerous antagonists. I have
had many encounters with them in the Aberdeen show-yard, and have got
soundly beaten. "The Banks of Dee," mentioned above, was the most
celebrated bull of his day, and took the first prize wherever he was
exhibited, local and national. Sir Thomas had his portrait taken and
engraved. The prizes gained by the Crathes stock count by the hundred.
On the lamented death of Sir Thomas Burnett he was succeeded by his
brother, Sir Alexander Burnett, who kept up the stock; and at his death
he was succeeded by the present proprietor, Sir James Burnett, who has
added drafts from the best stocks in the country. There is no doubt the
Crathes herd will remain true to its ancient fame.
In Aberdeenshire the breeders of polled cattle are very numerous, but
we shall only mention a few. William M'Combie, of Easter Skene, has
always stuck to the polled breed, and his stock have been conspicuous
as prize-takers. His cow, "Queen of Scots," beat Lord Southesk's "Dora"
and ten other fine cows in 1853, and "Roderick Dhu" gained the first
prize the same year, while "Alastor the Second" beat "Fox Maule" at
Aberdeen--the only time that animal ever was beaten. One ox I purchased
from Mr M'Combie gained the first prize at Glasgow at the last fat show
held by the Highland Society.[5]
[5] Mr M'Combie has taken a very prominent position since the
above was written. At the Highland Society's show at Aberdeen he
gained the first prize for the best yearling bull, the first
prize for the best two-year-old bullock, and other prizes.
Colonel Fraser, of Castle Fraser, has also stuck to the Aberdeen and
Angus polled cattle. His stock take a prominent place at the Royal
Northern Agricultural Society's shows.[6] They are not pampered for
show-yard purposes, but he has bred from the best blood, and his stock
always take a good place where exhibited. In the Garioch, as a breeder
of polled cattle, Mr Stephen, Conglass, stands pre-eminent. The
Conglass stock have been handed down from father to son, and the son
has not allowed them to lose their position. Mr Stephen gained the Fat
challenge-cup by a three-year-old ox, bred to himself at Aberdeen in
1864. At Poissy he carried off the first prize for the best heifer,
beating all and sundry.
[6] Since the first edition of this book was published, Colonel
Fraser's stock has taken a leading position. At the Royal
Northern Agricultural Society's show in 1867, he gained the
Polled challenge-cup. The cup has to be gained for three
successive years by the same party, and with different animals,
before it becomes his property. I had gained it the two preceding
years, and it was now fairly within my grasp. It was my last
asking, but it was dashed from my lips, and went for the time to
Castle Fraser, instead of going to Tillyfour for ever. Colonel
Fraser likewise gained the first prize for the same cow at the
Highland Society's show at Glasgow in 1867; and again carried
first honours with a younger cow at the Highland Society's show
at Aberdeen last summer.
Mr M'Combie of Easter Skene's farm-manager has great merit by his
indefatigable exertions in bringing up the Easter Skene stock to
its high position. He is an old and respected servant of my own,
and nothing gives him so much satisfaction as to beat his old
master. Mr Hampton, manager for Castle Fraser, deserves equal
credit for his unwearied exertions in improving the Castle Fraser
stock.
In Banffshire, Mr Walker of Montbletton is the most celebrated breeder.
He has twenty breeding cows, and has carried almost every medal and
prize at the Banff and Turriff shows for polled cattle, as well as many
of the highest prizes at the Royal Northern and Highland Society's
shows.
In Morayshire we have Mr Brown, Westerton, who is well known as one of
our best judges of polled cattle. Mr Brown's herd came first
prominently into notice at the Highland Society's show at Inverness in
1856, when he carried off the highest honours for heifers, and was
second to "Hanton"--who never was beaten but once--in the aged bull
class. At the Highland Society's show at Aberdeen, he was first with
"Windsor" in the two-year-old class. Mr Brown's skill was tested as to
the purchase and sale of "Windsor;" he bought him from me as a calf in
low condition, under L40, and sold him to Lord Southesk for 200
guineas. At Elgin, at Aberdeen, and at the Highland Society's shows, Mr
Brown was a most successful competitor. But at the Dumfries show, Mr
Brown, Mr Collie, and myself got pleuro-pneumonia into our stock, and
it decimated Mr Brown's valuable herd. Mr Brown's character as a judge
stands in the front rank with the breeders of Aberdeen and Angus stock,
and he has often been put on to act in that capacity by the Directors
of the Highland and Royal Northern Agricultural Societies.
Mr Paterson, Mulben, is a great and fortunate breeder of polled stock.
Mr Paterson commenced to breed in 1846. His celebrated "Mayflower" was
the first-prize cow at the Highland Society's show at Perth in 1861;
"Malcolm" was first at Elgin and Aberdeen, and second at Perth; and
"Prince of Wales," bred to Mr Brown, Westerton, was first at Aberdeen
in 1862, and first at the Highland Society's show at Stirling. It would
be a hopeless as well as an endless task to record Mr Paterson's
victories at the Highland and Royal Northern Societies' shows at Elgin,
Aberdeen, Banff, Huntly, and Dufftown, where he has often got
everything his own way.
Mr John Collie, Ardgay, was a celebrated breeder, and was one of the
most dangerous men to face in the show-yard I have ever encountered. He
gave me a sound drubbing at Edinburgh in the Cow class, and beat me for
a first place out of my own kennel with "Fair Maid of Perth," which he
bought from me at 81 guineas; but not satisfied with that, he took a
second place with "Mayflower," bred to Mr Paterson, and left me with
the bronze medal for my cow prize. I am indebted to Mr Collie for some
of my best animals--viz., "Zara," the second-prize heifer at Battersea,
and "Kate of Aberdeen," out of "Zara," and many others. He has been a
very successful exhibitor of stock, and has distinguished himself at
Elgin, Aberdeen, the Highland Society's shows, and the great
International Exhibition at Paris. The ox I gained the Smithfield prize
with in 1864 was bred to Mr Collie.
Perhaps the Ballindalloch herd of polled cattle are the oldest in the
north; they have been the talk of the country since my earliest
recollection, and were then superior to all other stock. The herd has
been kept up to its wonted standard, and even raised higher, by the
present proprietor, Sir George Macpherson Grant, of Ballindalloch and
Invereshie, by selections from the best herds in the kingdom. Coming
fast into notice is the Drumin herd; it consists of about twenty cows
and their followers. Mr Skinner has improved his stock by drafts from
the best herds in the country. He never forces for the show-yard, but
his stock have been very successful at the Spey and Avonside
Agricultural Society's shows. He has won the first prize for cows for
the last two years--no small victory, when he had Sir George Macpherson
Grant and Mr Paterson to contend against. He has also had his fair
share of prizes for bulls, heifers, and bullocks. A bullock bred at
Drumin took the first prize at Liverpool, in the Polled class, in
December last. Mr Skinner has not exhibited his stock at the Highland
Society's shows, but there is no doubt we shall see them there
by-and-by.[7]
[7] Mr Skinner was an exhibitor at the Highland Society's show at
Aberdeen last summer, and gained the first prize for his
two-year-old heifer.
V. HINTS ON THE BREEDING AND CARE OF CATTLE.
It has been suggested to me that I should add my experience as a
breeder of Aberdeen and Angus stock to my observations on the feeding
of cattle. It is with considerable hesitation that I have ventured to
put upon paper my views upon a subject on which there is such diversity
of opinion. It will, however, lessen the field of controversy, that my
practice and observations apply only to the Aberdeen and Angus breed;
although I presume what applies to one breed may apply in a great
degree to all. My observations may be of some use to those readers who
have not devoted much attention to the subject; they may prove of
interest even to more experienced breeders, should I be able to adduce
facts that may have escaped their notice, or in confirmation of their
own observations. I can hardly speak with the same authority as a
breeder, generally, that I can as a feeder; yet I have been a close
observer now for many years, and devoted my earnest attention to the
improvement of the Aberdeen and Angus polled breed of cattle, with
respect to size, symmetry, fineness of bone, strength of constitution,
and disposition to accumulate fat, sparing no expense in obtaining the
finest animals from the purest stock.
Laying the foundation of a breeding stock will be the first matter
under consideration. We are met here at the very outset by the
advocates of blood and those of selection. Much may be said and volumes
have been written in favour of both. My experience leads me to take a
middle course between the two, and to keep in view both the one and the
other. With respect to the qualifications of a successful breeder,
Darwin writes: "Not one man in a thousand has accuracy of eye and
judgment sufficient to become an eminent breeder. If gifted with these
qualities, and he studies the subject for years, and devotes his
lifetime to it with indomitable perseverance, he will succeed and make
great improvements; and if he wants any of these qualities he will
assuredly fail." Darwin's view will be found pretty correct. Many breed
with a certain success, and even rush to the top for a time in the
show-yard, but it is only those described by Darwin who will finally
succeed. In laying the foundation of a breeding stock there is
generally one of two objects in view: either, first, to raise up a herd
the best of its race, with a view to competition in the show-yard and
to improve it to the utmost; or, second, to breed commercial cattle for
commercial purposes with the greatest possible profit. The first
requires independent means; and, to secure success, skill,
perseverance, and patience under heavy disappointments. The second can
be attained by ordinary prudence. If the first object be the one aimed
at, the selection should be made from the most established herds, and
of animals of pedigree, and possessing the characteristics of the race
you intend to propagate. But my attention will be more particularly
directed to the second. There are few that have hatfuls of money to
expend upon the purchase of high-bred animals; nor is this necessary in
order to secure a profitable return from a breeding stock.
I would recommend the following method: I shall suppose a farmer wishes
to buy twenty cows to stock his farm (Aberdeen and Angus cattle). His
entry is, say, at Whitsunday. He must have a bull to serve his cows. He
should be selected from an established herd and from a race of good
milkers. The farmer must be a good judge, or employ one in whom he has
implicit confidence to act in his behalf. In his selection he must have
a certain model in his eye, such as he wishes to propagate. I assume
that he considered that his farm is adapted for the rearing of the
Aberdeen and Angus breed of cattle, and is convinced of their hardihood
of constitution being adapted to his soil and the climate. He ought to
keep to certain ground in his selection; that, namely, where the polled
breed are still in a state of purity, as in Angus, Aberdeen,
Kincardine, Banff, and Moray shires. He ought to visit the Alford
district, and all to the west of Alford. On the Spey he will find
cattle well worth his attention. They are not of large size generally,
but many of fine quality. In the neighbourhood of Dufftown, and west
from Dufftown, there are many useful beasts. The Mearns and Angus he
should carefully examine, visiting the farms where polled cattle are
bred. The wealthy breeder, No. 1, may look to the honours of the
show-yard; but No. 2, with his limited means, must have regard only to
his ultimate profit.
As it is a Whitsunday entry, he ought to have the lot made up, and the
bull put to them in season, that he may not lose a year. The cows he
buys will give milk to the house, and the two-year-old heifers will be
easily kept on. I speak on the supposition that cows and heifers are
bought, but the majority should be heifers. He ought to attend all the
fairs in his power through spring, and be on the instant ready to pick
up a suitable beast wherever it appears, which he can always do at
market value. He ought to select the best heifers or cows (duly
informing himself as to their breeding) from the different districts I
have named. The produce, after a first-class bull, will be astonishing.
The cows that throw the best calves should be retained, while those
that "cry back" should be dismissed, and their places filled up with a
new selection. By careful breeding for two years there will be a most
useful profitable breeding stock established, and there is no doubt
that even some good races may be secured. We have ample experience and
proof of this in the good calves thrown by our worthless little black
polled country cows, and it is on my experience of this fact that my
recommendation is founded. For two-year-olds rising three, out of small
cows, I have at Christmas got L40 from the butcher. Purity of blood in
the male will be found highly to improve inferior races. A herd of
breeding stock without the risk of haphazard will be secured at a
moderate cost--one that will be profitable to the owner.