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CHAPTER V. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BREED. 



Early characteristics of the northern polls Two varieties in Buchan 

 The effect of early crosses with Shorthorns The colour of the breed 

 "Scurs" Shapes, size, and symmetry Increase in size General 

 improvement in form, &c. Comparison of polled and Shorthorns 

 Full description of a typical polled animal Comparison with Gallo- 

 ways The breed's surpassing beef-properties Excellent quality of 

 its beef High value of polled crosses Early maturing Weights 

 and prices of polled oxen Milking-properties Wide and growing 

 reputation of the breed Great increase in value. 



THE reader will already have obtained glimpses of the 

 chief characteristics of the native polled cattle of Angus 

 and Aberdeen. Youatt's testimony to the early develop- 

 ment of rapidly fattening-properties in the Angus doddies 

 has been quoted. We have also indicated the very high 

 character given by the Messrs Williamson, the chief 

 Aberdeenshire cattle-dealers and cattle-breeders of eighty 

 years ago, to the beef-producing and paying qualities of 

 the Buchan humlies as far back as 1810. 



It would seem that formerly there were two types of 

 polled cattle in Buchan. In a communication addressed 

 to us, Mr William Forbes, Newark Brick- Work, Ellon, 

 whose grandfather was a farmer in Buchan, and bred 

 polled cattle, says : " The cattle in Buchan about half a 

 century ago and earlier might be said to have consisted 

 of horned and polled black cattle in about equal proper- 



