WHEN SUCCESS CAME TO S1TTYTON 145 



Prior to 1860 the GRUICKSHANKS were floundering 

 in a sea of uncertainty, in so far as the production 

 of a uniformly good lot of cattle was concerned. 

 Some progress had been made in this direction by 

 adherence in the selection of new material to ani- 

 mals approximating as individuals the type sought, 

 regardless of consanguinity; but the mating of two 

 animals of similar type but of widely variant bloods 

 does not always yield four. On the contrary, the 

 addition may turn out in that case almost anything 

 from to 9. The situation at Sittyton in this re- 

 spect, after more than twenty years of effort, did 

 not differ materially from that in a thousand other 

 herds of pedigreed cattle where similar methods 

 were being pursued. The cattle were all of regu- 

 lation herd-book pattern, all qualified for the great 

 work of regenerating the roadside stock of the 

 country, but had not yet reached that point to 

 which all enthusiastic breeders aspire, where the 

 surplus shall be eagerly sought at good values by 

 owners of other purebred herds. 



A study of the life-work of AMOS GRUICKSHANK 

 reveals one fact of great importance and signifi- 

 cance to the student. His real success did not 

 begin until he did, in a way, what THOMAS BATES had 

 done. He was by no means so sure he was right 



