314 HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Walter. Of the Shorthorns as a class the official report 

 said, 'The aged bulls were very superior.' On the other 

 hand, the young bulls, except the prize-winners and two or 

 three more, were not exactly of the right stamp. The 

 Directors, therefore, impressed the necessity of ' securing 

 young bulls of the purest descent, and of the highest points 

 of quality. If this rule be not rigidly adhered to. Short- 

 horns, while they increase in number, must inevitably 

 retrograde in quality.' In the female classes ' the younger 

 surpassed the older animals.' The Directors adverted to 

 ' the excessive state of fatness ' of some of the animals, and 

 intimated that the judges were instructed to withhold 

 premiums from all over-fed bulls, cows, and heifers. 



The Polled breeds competed together. There were 

 few Galloways, the exhibitors being the Duke of Buccleuch, 

 Mr Graham, Meikle Culloch ; Walter M'Culloch, Kirk- 

 claugh ; Walter Carruthers, Kirkhill ; James M. Hog of 

 Newliston, &c. The prizes all went to the Aberdeen and 

 Angus. In the official report, John Graham, yr. of Shaw, 

 Dumfriesshire, who acted as one of the judges (the other 

 two being A. Glennie, Fernyflatt, and George Milne, 

 Haddo), reported that he thought, as a rule, the Galloways 

 would be better shown separately, but added, ' I am rather 

 of opinion that it has been wisely judged to have the two 

 breeds classed together at the show, as it may turn the 

 attention of breeders of Galloways more to the useful 

 qualities of these animals — that is, in being more careful 

 with regard to the softness of touch, which is the requisite 

 of aptitude to fatten, instead of looking so much to the 

 great length of hair (without reference to its softness), 

 which, I think, is too much followed in this part of the 

 country, to the exclusion of more useful qualities. I am of 

 opinion that the Galloways may be much improved by 

 judicious crossing with the Angus, though adapted to 

 certain modes of farming for which the pure Angus would 

 be too tender.' 



The official report goes on to say that ' there was 

 admittedly no comparison between the Galloways and the 

 Angus or Aberdeen. It is right, however, to remark that, 



