214 SHORTHORNS 



with Sir William and Mr Young. The Baronet died 

 in 1878, and the herd was then very much reduced 

 in numbers. As already noted, the dispersal sale was 

 held in 1881. 



The Groat family, which has come into fame in 

 recent years, may be said to have had a Southwick 

 origin. Sir William bought Mr Mark Stewart's Alma 

 by Baron Ravens worth (7811). To John o' Groat 

 Alma produced Jeannie Groat, which in her turn bred 

 Amelia Groat by Magenta (20,253). Amelia Groat 

 was sold to Mr John H. Dickson, Cambushinnie. At 

 one time the Keir Mysies did not have more than 

 a local reputation, but they came to be very much 

 admired at Kinkell, and during the last twenty years 

 they have proved themselves the best cattle at Crieff- 

 vechter. The family is of Ladykirk origin, but there 

 is no record as to where Sir Win. Stirling-Maxwell 

 bought his foundation animal of this line of breeding. 



The existing herd, owned by Brigadier - General 

 Archibald Stirling, was started in 1898. Mr James 

 Rodger, the estate agent then, bought at Fingask 

 sale the cow Velvet Jewel, which proved a grand 

 breeder, although her pedigree could not be extended 

 to meet the Argentine herd-book regulations. She 

 became the dam of a very handsome show bull and 

 fine breeder, Keir Jester (86,287), which was exported 

 to Uruguay. At the Fingask sale Mr Rodger made 

 highly fortunate selections also in the Miss Ramsden 

 cow Meadow Shepherdess, and in Craibstone Beauty 

 and Craibstone Beauty 8th, of the same family as 

 Mr J. Deane Willis's great champion White Heather, 



