72 



CHAPTEE V. 



CHARACTEEISTICS OF THE BREED. 



Early characteristics of the northern polls — Two varieties in Bachan — 

 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, EUon, 

 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 homed and polled black cattle in about equal propor- 



