64 AT THE SIGN OF THE STOCK YARD INN 



The subsequent reputation of Hubback was higher 

 than that of any other bull of his time, and "it was 

 considered a great merit if any Shorthorn could 

 trace its pedigree back even remotely into his blood." 

 His get had ''capacious chests, prominent bosoms, 

 thick, mossy coats, mellow skins, with a great deal 

 of fine flesh spread evenly over the whole carcass," 

 and the bull himself had "clean, waxy horns, mild, 

 bright eyes, a pleasing countenance and was one of 

 the most remarkably quick feeders ever known, re- 

 taining his soft and downy coat long into the summer. 

 His handling was superior to that of any bull of 

 the day." 



The full significance of this early episode comes 

 to light in a subsequent narration. How often have 

 only post mortem honors come to men as well as 

 bulls! Meantime we must finish with, and take our 

 leave of, ROBERT COLLING. 



As a young man he had served an apprentice- 

 ship with GULLEY and other advanced farmers of 

 their times, and early in his career bought Leicesters 

 from BAKEWELL, which he managed so successfully 

 that his ram-lettings became a reliable source of 

 profit. Cattle engrossed most of his attention, how- 

 ever, and he worked in close collaboration with his 

 brother CHARLES. He had bought good cows from 



