WESTER FOWLIS HERD. 309 



about forty head, and for many years Mr Anderson lias 

 given attention to preparing a top lot of polls for the 

 London Christmas market. 



Wester Fowlis. 



This herd was founded by Mr James Strachan in 1842, 

 but for many years no records were kept, and the first 

 animal bred at Wester Fowlis that was registered in the 

 ' Herd Book ' was Nelly 1136, calved in 1866, she having 

 been entered by Mr Pearson of Johnston to whom she 

 was sold. Long previous to that, however, Mr Strachan 

 never used any except black polled bulls ; but not having 

 retained their pedigrees, he cannot trace them back. In 

 1863, Messrs Strachan, J. Dunn, and H. Shaw bought from 

 the late Mr M'Combie the bull Black Prince of Ennenteer 

 512. This bull gained a prize every year he was exhibited 

 at Leochel Cushnie, which was then the principal show in 

 the district for polled cattle. He left some good females, 

 but few of them were registered. In 1870, Mr Strachan 

 entered in the < Herd Book ' Bate 1952, Matilda 1953, 

 Beatrice 1954, and Lady 1955. Bate and Matilda, both 

 after Black Prince of Ennenteer 512, were among the best 

 cows he had, and they were sold at 140 in 1877 to 

 Moray shire. Bate's first calf was Beatrice 1954, sold to 

 go to England for 60. After this she had Prince 

 Albert of Fyvie 624, sold in 1872 to Colonel Gordon of 

 Fyvie when one year old for 36 guineas. Bate gained 

 numerous prizes at the local show. In 1868 was pur- 

 chased Draco 3rd 733 from Mr Walker, Ardhuncart. He 

 left some very fine stock, and was sold to the butcher in 

 1872. That year was bought Sir William 2nd 748 from 

 Mr Eeid, Greystone, who had purchased him from Mr 

 Shaw. He was the best bull that had been at Wester 

 Fowlis up to that time, and after being used two years, 

 was sold to go to Germany. He gained the first prize 



