50 ON THE AGKICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 



been well knowu as a very fine race of shorthorns. At the dis- 

 persion sale the fine old cow " Seraphina 13th," by the noted 

 bull " John O'Gaimt," fetched 110 guineas. This famous animal 

 was brought to Keavil when a three-year-old at a cost of 240 

 guineas, and that the investment was a profitable one is amply 

 testified by the fact, that at the sale in 1869, two of her daughters 

 — " Seraphina Carissinia," a very fine two-year old heifer, and 

 " Booth's Seraphina," a splendid yearling — brought 120 and 

 150 guineas respectively ; while her son, " Heir of Englishman," 

 fetched 100 guineas. This fine bull — the winner of the second 

 prize in tlie young class at the Highland and Agricultural 

 Society's Show at Glasgow in 1867, the first at the same show 

 in Aberdeen in 1868, and the fourth at the Eoyal English Show 

 in 1869 — was purchased by MrMarr, Uppermill, Tarves, Aber- 

 deenshire, and has left a most valuable stamp on the well- 

 known herd at Uppermill. The cow and her two daughters 

 were taken to England by Lord Sudley, and have long ago 

 repaid his lordship for his outlay. Lord Sudley 's beautiful 

 heifer " Seraphina Bella 2d," which got first royal honours as a 

 calf at Hull in 1873, and for which 500 guineas were then 

 refused, was bred from them, as also was a very fine young bull 

 which Mr Marr, Uppermill, purchased last spring from his lord- 

 ship at 200 guineas ; and several highly -priced heifers which 

 have recently been shipped to America. " Booth's Seraphina" 

 had the first prize as a yearling heifer at the Highland and 

 Agricultural Society's Show at Edinburgh in 1869, while Mr 

 Barclay was first and third for yearling bulls at the same show 

 at Aberdeen in 1868, the first prize one falling into the hands 

 of Mr Godsman, Mains of Federate, New Deer, and the third 

 one going to Gordon Castle. The highest priced animal at the 

 dispersion sale in 1869 was " Ean Fan," a highly bred cow 

 which was taken out by Mr White of Clinterty, Aberdeenshire, 

 at 165 guineas, and which has left excellent stock at Clinterty. 

 At the present day there are only five or six farmers in the 

 county who attempt the rearing of pure shorthorns ; and with 

 the exception of Mr Bethune of Blebo, none enter into the 

 movement very largely. Mr Bethune bred shorthorns for a 

 number of years previous to 1865, when the rinderpest made 

 such a deadly march through the country. In that year Mr 

 Bethune buried twenty-six pure shorthorns, all the work of that 

 deadly enemy. Only one or two shorthorn cows escaped ; but 

 with this small remainder he commenced breeding anew, buying 

 in a stock bull at a sale held by Mr Mitchell, Alloa, on the 25th 

 August 1870. This animal was " Master Blyth " 29,314, out of 

 " Lady of the Lake," by Mr Booth's " Prince Arthur." At the 

 same sale Mr Bethune bought a fine red cow, " Bessy Bell," after 

 " Lord Eagle," and out of " Blue Bell," by " Knight Errant," 



