108 THE AGRICULTURE OF THE 



the nucleus of the herd was formed has been the envy of breeders 

 throughout the country, and most successful in showyard 

 competitions. Owing to the death of the originator of the herd, 

 Mr Charles Grant, it was dispersed on the 3rd October 1882, and 

 the prices obtained were — 



No. 



Mains of Aherlour. — The nucleus of the distinguished herd of 

 pure bred Aberdeenshire cattle, the property of Mr William 

 Eobertson, Mains of Aberlour, was formed in 1842 by the 

 purchase of two cows, by the present Mr Eobertson's father, 

 from the then celebrated black tribe at Dandaleith. Through 

 tlie intimacy of the late Mr Kobertson with the late Mr 

 M'Combie of Tillyfour, and through several transactions which 

 he had with him, a good deal of the " Tillyfour blood " was in- 

 fused into this herd in its infancy, which, combined with the 

 fact that a good many of the young stock had sprung from 

 Eallindalloch tribes, soon brought Mr Eobertson's herd promi- 

 nently into notice. Herd books were unknown for some con- 

 siderable time after the commencement of Mr Eobertson's herd, 

 and we consequently lack suflicient data for going fully into the 

 early history of the cattle. The first cow registered was "Susan " 

 (166), the daughter of which " Eelle " (631) was sold to Mr 

 Adam Sweethillock, in whose name she was exhibited, and 

 carried the first prize at the Morayshire Farmers' Club show. 

 From its earliest days the herd has contained many excellent 

 specimens of the breed, and its representatives gained an enviable 

 reputation at local exhibitions. In 1856, at the first show of 

 the Spey, Avon, and Fiddochside Farmers' Society, Mr Robertson's 

 cattle took a high position against representatives of the herds 

 of Eallindalloch, Drumin, and Mulben. An excellent bull, 

 bought from the late Mr M'Combie in 1846, very much im- 

 proved the stock. " Windsor 2nd " (812), bred by the late Mr 

 Brown, was a superior animal, and gained many valuable prizes 

 before coming into Mr Eobertson's possession. His sire was 

 Windsor (221) which was sold at £180, and his dam Lady 

 Ann (307), bred at Tillyfour, and out of a cow which carried the 

 first prize at the Highland Society's show. The character of 



