THE UNITED KINGDOM. 145 



* 



ago on the dispersion of the famous Urlar herd, on the 16th May, 1878, 

 by the purchase of some of the best of that old blood. A much older 

 herd is that of Poltalloch, which was formed as far back as 1795, from 

 stock purchased at Castle Craignish and in the island of Shuna. The 

 annual sale of the Poltalloch draft affords opportunities to breeders 

 who may wish to establish similar herds. 



At Ben more there is also a famous herd which was formed in the 

 years 1873 and 1870, by selection from the then famous herd of Mr. 

 John Stewart, Bochastle, Callender, including the celebrated bull Don- 

 achadh Ban Xan Oran anc} the cow Phrisiag 2nd. The former won 

 the first prize at the Highland Society's Show at Edinburgh in 1877, 

 and also first prize at the great show in Paris. The cow mentioned 

 also won first honors wherever exhibited, and her victories include a 

 first prize at Paris. While at the latter exhibition the famous bull was 

 admired by Eosa Bonheur, who subsequently painted his portrait for 

 Mr. Duncan. 



The Breadalbaue herd which was dispersed in 1862, on the death of 

 the lace marquis, was reformqd under the late earl in 1871, with pur- 

 chase of some stock at the Urlar sale mentioned, Urlar being indeed 

 close to Taymouth Castle. Some of the old Breadalbane cows were 

 also secured by Mr. Dunn, his lordship's manager at Kenmore Mains, 

 also the second prize Higland and agricultural bull Ossian, bred by 

 the Duke of Athole. Since then the herd has been increased by sev- 

 eral selections from the Bochastle and Poltalloch herds, the present 

 earl taking an interest in it. 



Amongst other noted herds are those of the Duke of Athole, Lord 

 Dunmore, Mr. Stewart, Duntulm. Mr. Stewart, of Tigh Duin, Killin, 

 is one of an enthusiastic family of breeders who have stuck to the West 

 Highlander for several generations. Indeed the history of the West 

 Highlander is interwoven with that of the family. 



That the West Highlander has a future before it many good judges 

 think. Its beef is the richest in the market, and in these days oi' quan- 

 tity, quality is certainly worthy of consideration. A herd bo/)k is being 

 got up for them by Lord Dunmore, and, though its Gaelic may be al- 

 most untranslatable, in the long run it will spread its popularity. The 

 West Highlander, grand as he is, does not yet suit the views of the 

 butcher, and Mr. Dykes admits that although this is the case he is being 

 brought back to his ancient self among Scottish cattle nobility, and is 

 yearly the wonder of the Londoner at the annual Sinithfield exhibitions. 



Mr. Druinmond Moray, of Blair Drummond, Stirling, a famous ex- 

 hibiter of the race, says: 



Highland cattle are not bred here, but are bought in at from eighteen to thirty 

 months old for the purpose of being fattened. Heiters at the ago of three and a half 

 years will, with ordinary feeding and 4 pounds of cake per day for the last three 

 months, feed up to 5 or 5| cwt. That is the weight of the carcass of beef after being 

 slaughtered and dressed.- Oxen of the same age and fed in the same way, with a little 

 additional cake during the last three or four months, will feed up to fully 7 cwt. of 

 beef. These weights can be attained at an earlier period by giving better food and 

 commencing the cake earlier, or the weights may be very much increased by keeping 

 on the animals for another year, but as a rule it pays best to fatten Highland cattle 

 off the grass when they are about three and a half years old. Many excellent ani- 

 mals of this breed have been fed here for show purposes, the weight of which when 

 slaughtered came up to 12 or 13 cwt. of beef, but these wore generally four and a half 

 years old or a month or two more. The proportion of beef to the live weight of a good, 

 well-fattened Highland ox is nearly two-thirds of the weight. The animals are hardy, 

 and after the lirst winter (when they should be housed) they thrive in any sheltered 

 situation, but when they got into good condition they should be put into courts to 

 prevent the loss of flesh in cold weather. None of this breed are used for draft pur- 

 poses in this district, and I never saw them so used auywuero. 



H. Ex. 51 10 



