THE UNITED KINGDOM. 193 



POLLED ABERDEEN AND ANGUS BREED. 



This breed has long ranked amongst the most valuable converters of 

 vegetable into animal food, and few can excel them for the return when 

 pitted against other breeds, acre for acre. The other Scotch breeds are 

 on a par as to age at maturity, but the Aberdeen may have a little ad- 

 vantage in weight. For loDg ancestral purity of blood (if it be of impor- 

 tance) it must yield that honor to the Galloway and West Highlander. 

 In some cases they have equaled the ponderous Short-horn in weight. 

 They do not possess the regular uniformity of type and character of the 

 Galloway, but no good end can be served for practical purposes by de- 

 scribing the origin of the breeds. Authorities agree that our exist- 

 ing Follies are descended from horned cattle, and when the departure 

 from the ancient order of things took place can only be conjectured. 

 These Polled varieties are grouped in three defined breeds, viz, Norfolk, 

 Galloway, and Aberdeen. The latter formerly embraced a variety of 

 colors, but since the systematic improvement has set in, all shades of 

 color, except black, are at a discount, and it is now black and nothing 

 else. They are now being modeled to the breeder's fancy and require- 

 ments. The setting on of the tail is a characteristic in the oldest ; the 

 removal of this defect will be a valuable achievement when accom- 

 plished. The superiority of the Follies and Highlanders over most other 

 breeds consists in the excellent quality of their beef and the high per- 

 centage of dead to live weight. As a rule the meat is well marbled, 

 often a greater proportion of compact, finely -grained flesh, with less 

 coarse fat than many other breeds. Some people will place the Devons 

 before them. I consider it in no way inferior. Both these breeds with 

 skillful care have greater things to look forward to. 



Amongst those who are not thoroughly conversant with the Aberdeens 

 an idea exists that they are slow feeders as well as being slow at arriving 

 at maturity. There is little doubt that such was the case. Now, how- 

 ever, it has been so greatly improved in that respect that it matures al- 

 most as soon as some of the leading breeds, and if well fed from birth the 

 best specimens become ripe at the age of from twenty-eight to thirty 

 months. This breed is remarkable for retaining loveliness of form during 

 the fattening process, and in cases of excessive feeding they rarely be- 

 come patchy, or disproportioned. Since the rage for young beef became so 

 strong, many have been fed for the butchers at thirty months old, where 

 they have realized from 25 to 35. Many fully-matured bullocks will 

 fetch at the London Christmas market 40 to 48 each. The breed 

 cannot now be distinguished for its milking properties ; formerly it was 

 held in high estimation for dairy purposes. The main aim of the im- 

 provers has been the development of its beef-producing qualities to the 

 deterioration of the flow of milk ; and now they are actually deficient 

 in this respect, but with a little attention their ancient reputation can 

 be restored. A few families are excellent milkers ; these are becoming 

 more highly esteemed than they were a few years ago. This breed, as 

 well as the'Galloway, are finding favor with English breeders, and many 

 herds are already formed in England, also in Ireland. In Scotland itself 

 this breed is extending its territory. More than a hundred herds are 

 now established there. Of the Polled Herd-Book, published in 1862, 

 six volumes have been issued, and in the last the names of 119 breeders 

 appear. There have now been registered 1,930 bulls, 5,054 cows and 

 heifers. The herd-book is now conducted by a society formed in 1869, 

 on similar principles to the Shorthorn Herd-Book. One of our great im- 

 provers of the breed was Mr. Hugh Watson, followed by Mr. McCombie, 

 H. Ex. 51- 13 



