768 A HISTORY OF SHORT-HORN CATTLE. 



now an official of the Royal Irish Agricultural 

 Society one of the best-informed men of his 

 time in all Britain and a popular judge at lead- 

 ing shows had represented the Messrs. Nelson 

 in this important transaction and decided, in 

 view of the failure of the original plan for ex- 

 portation, that the herd had best be held at the 

 home farm pending some satisfactory disposi- 

 tion of the stock. This arrangement was car- 

 ried into effect and the cattle were kept at Sit- 

 tyton until May, 1890. Mr. Bruce has given us 

 an interesting account of the extreme reluc- 

 tance with which Mr. Cruickshank finally parted 

 with his pets. We quote: 



Can anyone realize what the selling of his entire herd of Short- 

 horns would mean to such a man ; a herd which had been the work 

 of a lifetime to buiid up? While the transaction was being carried 

 through I felt sincere sympathy for him, as I could see how the 

 thought of parting with his cattle affected his strong mind. The 

 resolution to sell was arrived at owing to his failing health and 

 the fact that the lease of his farm had expired ; and when the 

 proposition of a private purchase of the entire lot was made he 

 liked the idea, seeing it would save him all the worry and trouble 

 attending a public sale. In a letter to me, dated May 5, 1889, he 

 wrote: "In reply to your letter regarding the Short-horn cattle, 

 my lease of the farm expires next year. I am in my eighty-second 

 year and from a serious illness which I had last year I am not now 

 able to give the cattle that attention which I had used to do and 

 which is essentially necessary to continue. This is the cause of 

 their being offered for sale." 



William Duthie of Collynie was so fortunate 

 as to secure a majority of the most useful cows 

 some thirty-five head in number. Mr. J. 

 Deane Willis of Bapton Manor, Codford, Wilt- 



