30 SHORTHORNS 



of the red-and-white bull Linton. At Glasgow, in 

 1867, the Rossie Priory herd bore off the firsts in the 

 heifer classes with the two-year-old Royal Helena and 

 the yearling Baroness. One of his lordship's notable 

 bulls was Cherry Duke 2nd, an animal of grand 

 appearance but an indifferent breeder, at Shethin in 

 any case. Mr Shepherd had bought him for 205 

 guineas in 1856 at Mr Atherton's sale near Liver- 

 pool. After two years' use at Shethin the bull was 

 passed on to Rossie Priory. In his mid-career as 

 Shorthorn breeder and land improver Lord George 

 had a few candid critics. One of the most aggressive 

 was a West Carse auctioneer and farmer, whose letters 

 in hybrid Johnsonian English still form amusing read- 

 ing for the curious. 



A herd which had an excellent record for a good 

 many years was that owned by Messrs Lumsden & 

 Mackenzie of Huntingtowerfield. Even when they 

 had very few pure - bred cows, those enterprising 

 gentlemen attracted attention by the high - class 

 character of the bulls which they bought at the 

 Perth sales. On several occasions they took out 

 the first-prize winners at prices which were con- 

 sidered exceptionally high for the times. In 1887 

 the foundations of a pedigree herd were laid. About 

 1890 Mr Lumsden bought a pair of very good heifers 

 from Lord Lovat. These were of the Dairymaid and 

 Annie families, and their sire was the fine bull, Lord 

 Violet. Several years later he acquired at a Beau- 

 fort sale Lady's Maid 13th, and she bred at Hunting- 

 towerfield the very handsome Marchmont, which won 



