HEE majesty's HERD. 181 



Abergeldie Mains. 



Her Majesty the Queen commenced a herd at Abergeldie 

 Mains about a year ago. Her Majesty had previously 

 manifested her interest in the breed by visiting Tillyfour 

 and inspecting Mr M'Combie's fine herd. More recently, 

 the Queen was graciously pleased to present a splendid 

 challenge cup for the best animal of the polled breed ex- 

 hibited at the shows of the Cromar, Upper Dee, and Don- 

 side Agricultural Association, at Tarland. This valued 

 trophy was awarded to polled animals bred in the district 

 embraced by the Association, and it has greatly stimulated 

 careful cattle-breeding among the members. Her Majesty 

 also honoured the Polled Cattle Society by becoming its 

 Patroness. The royal herd was collected under the super- 

 intendence of Dr Profeit, and the first purchases were 

 made from Mr Walker, Westside ; Mr Lumsden of Clova ; 

 Mr Walker, Ardhuncart; Mr Strachan, Wester Powlis, 

 &c. At the Balquharn sale in 1881, the fine heifer Pride 

 of Aberdeen 24th 4327, out of Lord Tweedmouth's 225 

 guineas cow Pride of Mulben 3rd 3249, was bought for 

 125 guineas. The Abergeldie herd was first represented 

 in the show-yard at the meeting of the Pioyal Northern 

 Agricultural Society at Aberdeen last year, when the first 

 prize was gained for pairs of cows with Blossom 2nd 3951 

 and Mary 2nd 3952, bred by Mr Walker, Westside of 

 Brux, and the fourth prize for yearling heifers with Pride 

 of Aberdeen 24th 4327. 



Aberlour Mains. 



The late Mr Eobertson, father of Mr William Eobertson, 

 Aberlour Mains, established a herd at Burnside, Ballin- 

 dalloch, about forty years ago, bringing with him some 

 polled cows from Dandaleith. BuUs were obtained from 

 Ballindalloch, Tillyfour, Westertown, Ardgay, Bognie, and 



