THE COUNTIES OF FOKFAK AND KINCARDINE. 151 



at Batterseca in the following year. Mr M'Combie stated that 

 he believed no purer stock existed in Forfarshire than the 

 Leuchland herd, and that he " often admired its purity, style, 

 and condition," the late Mr J. Mustard having been a moderate 

 but judicious feeder. This herd also fell a victim to rinder- 

 pest. The earlier Kinnaird herd had a long and useful career. 

 From a very early period in the century there had been a pure 

 herd of Angus cattle at Kinnaird ; but it was not until the 

 present Lord Southesk succeeded that the stock was brought out 

 to full advantage. Mr M'Combie says that, before being annihi- 

 lated by the plague in 1866, the Kinnaird herd was " almost the 

 best in the land," and adds that " Lord Southesk spared no 

 expense in purchasing the finest animals, and had an able 

 assistant in his brother, the Hon. Charles Carnegie," a gentleman 

 who is not only an enthusiastic admirer of the breed, but has 

 also an intimate knowledge of its history and pedigree. The 

 best testimony to the character of Lord Southesk's herd is to be 

 found at Ballindalloch in the celebrated Erica family, one of 

 which, " Echo," has just been brought back to the home of her 

 ancestors by Lord Southesk at the handsome sum of 200 

 guineas. The descendants of " Fanny of Kinnaird " (330), are also 

 in high repute. Of several other defunct Forfarshire polled herds, 

 good testimony is still to be found in different stocks through- 

 out the country. The Thorn herd came prominently to the front 

 many years ago. In 1864, Mr Leslie's bull "President 4th" 

 (368), out of Mr Buxton's "Flower of Strathmore " (479), 

 and got by Mr Scott's " President 3d " already referred to, 

 was hrst as a yearling at the Highland Show at Stirling, and 

 first at the same show at Liverness the following year. This 

 fine bull was sold by Mr Leslie at a long price, and was used at 

 Tillyfour. 



The Mains of Kelly herd is the oldest now existing. Founded 

 in 1810 or 1811 by the late Mr Bowie, this celebrated herd has 

 had a long and brilliant career, made almost romantic by its 

 deadly struggles and narrow escapes in the days of rinderpest 

 and pleuro-pneumonia. Tlie actual foundation on the female 

 side was a cow picked up on ^Ir H. A. F. Carnegie's property of 

 Spynie and Boysack. From this cow, named " Boysack," 

 "Jenny" (55), "Pose of Kelly" (Sl'8), and other famous 

 animals were descended. It is from its achievements in the 

 male line that Mr ]>owie's herd stands out the most prominently. 

 Indeed, it is not too much to say, that in this respect it has had 

 tew if any e([uals. " Cupbearer" (59), spoken of as one of the 

 finest i)()lk'd bulls ever seen, and lii:^ e(iually famous half-brother 

 " Hanton " (2l!S) are as housi.'hoUl words among breeders of 

 polh'd ciitth'. The former, out of " IJose of Kelly " (SJS), and 



