BREED OF CATTLE. 315 



dairying qualities, fine iemi)ev and freedom from patchiness. 

 Milking capacities have always been catered for, obtained, and 

 permanently fixed. Most of the cattle are of large size and 

 evenly fleshed. At the last sale but one, cows averaged L.43, 

 13s.; two year-old heifers, L.44, 10s.; yearling heifers, L.34, 

 13s. ; heifer calves, L.26, 17s. ; bull calves L.27 ; and as an 

 evidence how good blood tells in feeding, we may say that Mr 

 Skinner generally realizes in the London markets from L.42 to 

 L.48 for his three-year-olds. At the draft sale last autumn 

 (1876), 21 animals brought an average of L.40, 8s. all round, the 

 highest price being paid for Forget-me-not, which made GQ 

 guineas. 



6. The Bothiemay Herd. — This herd, the property of Mr J. 

 W. Tayler of Glenbarry, has been raised to a high standard of 

 perfection by the owner, as the formidable array of prize cards 

 sufficiently testifies. Kate 2d (1482), from this stock, was the 

 first prize cow at Inverness in 1874, the first prize two-year-old 

 heifer at Stirling the year before, and the second prize yearling 

 at Kelso in 1872. Thus, as she grew up, she became more 

 difficult to vanquish, and many breeders averred that she was 

 the 'best heifer which had then appeared in the Scotch show- 

 yards within the previous ten years. Many of the bulls used at 

 Eothiemav have also taken a fair share of honours. In 1872 Mr 

 Tayler had a sale of draft cattle which made good prices, and 

 again in 1875, but unfortunately foot-and-mouth disease had 

 been prevalent in the herd some time before, which would no 

 doubt prevent some buyers from taking part in the sale, and to 

 some extent flatten the competition. Xevertheless, high prices 

 were realized for all classes of stock. The twelve cows sold 

 brought an average of L.51, Ss. ; a pair of two-year-old heifers, 

 L.39, 7s. ; four heifer calves, L.IG ; and three bull calves, L.29, 8s. 

 The highest price was 70 guineas, which was paid for the cow 

 " Fashion," bought by Mr Symon TuUoch, Diitftown ; and also 

 for a two-year-old heifer, " Orange lilossom," which fell to the 

 lot of Mr Collie, Priestwells. The liothiemay herd has many 

 points of recommendation — robustness, good milking qualities, 

 evenness of flesh, size, and fashion. 



7. -The Aiichlossan Herd. — This herd, the property of Mr 

 Barclay, M.P., Auchlussan, Abi.Tdeenshire, has been in existence 

 ten or twelve yeai*s. Though Mr liarclay has not })aid so much 

 attention to the stock as some breeders have, yet the animals com- 

 prising tlu; herd have nmch iiierit, being of good size, wcll- 

 fornuul, and evenly-lleshed. The foundation at Auchlossau was 

 laid by the })urchase of females from Tillyfour, ^^lulhcn, and 

 Bofjfern, and bulls were used of the Tillvfour and Westertown 

 breeds which gave much clianicter to the fold. Five or 

 six years ago a bull, that had diiven competition before him, 



