844 A HISTORY OF SHORT-HORN CATTLE. 



test of long-continued blood concentration. 

 The Bates cattle in particular suffered exten- 

 sively from the operations of those who re- 

 sisted the idea of fresh crosses. Messrs. War- 

 field, Renick, Alexander, the Bedfords and 

 others obtained results outside of the " straight " 

 Bates line that surpassed the accomplishments 

 of such of their contemporaries as adhered 

 strictly to the "line." An unwillingness to 

 infuse other blood into the old Killerby and 

 Warlaby strains did not contribute to the 

 physical welfare of the cattle of Booth descent, 

 and at the Torr dispersion the outcrossed 

 strains were gladly bought at high prices to 

 revive the glories of the earlier days.* 



Examining the record down to the present 

 day we find a tendency to repeat the errors of 

 former years in the case of the families created 

 by Amos Cruickshank. In view of the fact that 

 this careful breeder freely conceded the desira- 

 bility of an outcross on his cattle prior to the 

 sale of his herd, the contention of those who 

 are now insisting upon maintaining the "pur- 

 ity" of the Sittyton families finds no adequate 

 basis in reason or experience. James I. David- 

 son, who was for a number of years Mr. Cruick- 

 shank's representative in America, demon- 



*In this connection it may be said that the major part of the Booth herd 

 was sold at auction a few years since by Mr. William Booth, executor of the 

 estate of his brother, the late T. C. Booth. The herd is again being revived 

 by Mr. Richard Booth, son of T. C., and Short-horns may still be seen in the 

 fine old pastures at Warlaby 



