322 SHORTHORN HERDS OF ENGLAND. 



far off India, have found their waj hither, and their many comments 

 are favourable to the herd and their owners, one especially is worth 

 quoting, " those who think that shorthorns are ill adapted to light soil 

 and exposed situations, should see Messrs. Hosken's magnificent herd 

 and witness the contrary." 



There is nothing like a good foundation, and Babraham, by 

 sending Agnes 2nd and Miss Fisher into Cornwall, laid the " corner 

 stone " of one of the most extensive and finest herds in this country, 

 now numbering over eighty head. No exact record has been 

 kept of the number of prizes won, but between two and three 

 hundred honours have been gained at the Royal Cornwall, Devon 

 County, Bath and West of England, and Royal Agricultural 

 Society's Meetings. It would have been impossible to take this high 

 position in the showyards if first class stud bulls had not been 

 bought from time to time to use on the Babraham purchases, and 

 the additional ones afterwards made from Messrs. Thomas and 

 George Game, and Mr. John Lane, of Cirencester, within a dozen 

 years of the founding of the herd in 1856. Fancy, acquired in early 

 days must not be omitted, although having at the time, only one 

 registered cross of shorthorn blood. Prince Frederick 16734, 

 purchased in 1860, from Mr. Langston's hjrd at Sarsden Lodge, 

 was followed by Earl of Oxford 2nd 23844, and Baron Wild Eyes 

 2nd 30497, from the Wetherby herd, thon in the height of its fame. 

 Duke of Oxford 33rd 36528, came from Holker and for a successor, 

 Underlay was visited, where Grand Duke 34th 41642. a son of Duke 

 of Underley 33745 and Grand Duchess 23rd, was obtained at a high 

 figure. Nine and a half years old, this handsome Duchess bull is as 

 active and vigorous as ever, and he has certainly done good service 

 for Messrs. Hosken, and the same can justly be said of his com- 

 panion, Grand Duke of Oxford 5th 43318, out of that fine cow, 

 Grand Duchess of Oxford 7th, bought by Lord Penrhyn at the 

 Holker sale of 1871 for 915gs. The Oxford is of great length and 

 very level, but not possessing the Grand Duke's thorough Bates like 

 appearance, immense substance and compact frame, he is hardly so 



