HIGHLAND SHOWS IN 1872 TO 1874. 401 



" Perhaps the most attractive specimen of the polled 

 breed at Kelso in 1872 was the three-year-old bull 

 Adrian 439, from Fasque, bred at Portlethen. He 

 followed Baron Settrington at Perth, but improved so 

 much that he won fairly enough on the banks of the 

 Tweed. His build was true, and his symmetry and 

 quality were very fascinating. His breeding days, how- 

 ever, were comparatively early at an end. Size and 

 substance carried Colonel of Castle Eraser 443, from 

 Lady bank, and Scotsman 474, from Ballindalloch, to the 

 front in the two-year-old and yearling bull classes. 



"At Stirling the Lady bank bull, handling sweetly, but 

 sunk in the belly, and not symmetrical, won in the aged 

 class, the more symmetrical but smaller Duke of Perth 

 357 ranking second. Mr Bowie sent in Gainsborough 

 596, a very well brought out, handsome bull, that won 

 the first prize in the two-year-old bull class. Bertha 

 980, from Ballindalloch, with prominent shoulders, 

 but splendid quality, was a fairly popular first among 

 cows. A big, lengthy heifer, with a little white about 

 the flank, from Easter Skene, Young Grizzle 1807, 

 was preferred in the yearling class ; but she lacked the 

 quality to keep her position afterwards, although she bred 

 some very good animals at Easter Skene. 



"The Inverness show in 1874 was remarkable for the 

 first appearance in public of two animals which have 

 with their progeny founded highly prized families. I 

 allude to Sybil 1st of Tilly four 3524, and Halt 3525 

 from the same herd, which were the first and second prize 

 yearlings, and afterwards passed into the hands of Mr 

 M'Combie of Tillyfour. The Sybils especially have 

 become famous. The yearling bull class, too, was topped 

 by an animal that turned out even a more noteworthy 

 specimen of the breed, Young Viscount 736, the 

 highest priced bull, and perhaps the best looking animal 

 of the breed, that has yet been shown, saving possibly 



2c 



