208 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



the shambles. In 1852, the Scioto Valley Importing 

 Company was organized. This company, through its 

 agents, George W. Renick and Arthur Watts, imported 

 ten bulls and seventeen females, which were sold at auction 

 at the very high average of $1351.85. This sale proved 

 a stimulus to Shorthorn-cattle-breeding interests, and 

 other importing companies were quickly organized, 

 among which were the Madison County, Ohio, the North- 

 ern Kentucky, and the Scott County Importing Com- 

 panies, the Clinton County, Ohio, and Clark County, 

 Ohio, Associations. 



In 1852 and 1853, A. J. Alexander of Kentucky, who was 

 visiting in Great Britain, laid the foundation of the Wood- 

 burn herd of Shorthorns. The first shipment of cattle 

 to the Alexander farm was made in 1853; subsequently 

 other importations were made, which included Duchess 

 Airdrie, Duchess Athol, Pearlette, Victoria 20th, Filigree, 

 Lady Gulnare, Minna, Constance, Rosabella and other 

 cows. Three of the leading bulls imported were Duke 

 of Airdrie, Second Duke of Athol and Dr. Buckingham. 

 At the Northern Kentucky and Scott County Companies' 

 sales, Alexander made important purchases in the cows 

 Mazurka, Maid of Melrose and Equity. The Wood- 

 burn herd took a prominent place in Shorthorn affairs and 

 was at one time probably one of the largest and best Short- 

 horn herds in America, if not in the world. The Duke 

 of Airdrie (12730) was used a year by George M. Bedford 

 and to some extent by Abram Renick and Jere Duncan, 

 as well as by Alexander. Bell Duke of Airdrie (2552), 

 Duncan's Duke of Airdrie (2743) and Airdrie (2478) are 

 considered among this great bull's most famous sons. 



Among the most prominent breeders of Shorthorns 

 in the United States at this early period should be men- 



