634 
Beport on the British and Foreign Cattle 
Beport of the Judges on the Polled Angus, Galloway, and West Highland 
Cattle. 
The Judges report that in their opinion these three hardy hreeds of cattle 
have, although not very numerously, on the whole been very creditably repre- 
sented on this occasion. Of the classes submitted to them the most numerously 
represented were the Anguses, a thoroughly useful breed, they think ; indeed, 
one which is unsurpassed by any other. A prejudice seeois at one time to a 
certain extent to have existed regarding the Angus, on account, as it was said, 
of animals of this breed not arriving so soon at maturity as did certain other 
contemporary breeds of heavy cattle. This prejudice, however (for it never 
was anything else), is rapidly disappearing, and there is little doubt (the 
Judges think) that at no distant date this breed will be the representative 
natioi al breed of Scotland. The youag stock of this breed shown on the 
present occasion are, the Judges submit, in themselves a sufficient refutation 
of the quondam charge of tardy maturing, for they will compare very favour- 
ably with the Shorthorn, or any other breed of cattle in the Show, of the same 
age. It is satisfactory therefore to know that la its native Scotland the 
valuable Foiled Angus is at present in the ascendant, and very rapidly gaining 
ground ; and that it is yearly going into more hands and displacing other less- 
valuable or less- suitable breeds. Some time ago a Herd-book of the breed 
was started, which has been a great success and given a considerable impetus 
to Polled Angus cattle-breeding — and in its pages the genealogies of all the 
more noted herds are now recorded. This Herd-book is conducted by Mr. 
Alexander Eamsay, of Banff, X.B. ; and the fact that in the last volume issued 
in 1879 the number of owners and breeders contributing to the Herd-book was 
augmented by forty-four over the number contributing to the previous volume 
issued in 1877, is sufficient proof that Mr. Eamsay does his work well, and 
has the confidence of breeders. It is also a proof that the breed is more and 
more taking its place as the appropriate national breed of the tumiivgrowing 
districts of Scotland. Eeporting, as they are, to the Eoyal Agricultural 
Society of England, the Judges think it right simply to mention, that to the 
late Mr. Hugh Watson, of Keillor, near Coupar Angus, Forfarshire, the credit 
of Polled Angus cattle being what they now are is most justh' due. Previous 
to the time of his memorable improvements on the breed, which conmienced 
at Keillor in 1803, Polled Angus cattle were very different in apjjearance from 
what they now are ; and from his herd all the improved Angus cattle have 
l)een more or less derived. The nearer in affinity Angus cattle are to the 
Keillor herd, the more valuable they are ; and the Judges trust that this 
passing tribute to the memory of a distinguished Scotch agriculturist may not 
be deemed inopportune on their part ; believing, as they do, that the influence 
exerted by such men on the material prosjierity of their country is such as 
can hardly be over-estimated. 
In the Class of Angus Bulls over Two-years-old, seven entries were put 
before the Judges, five of which were excellent animals of the breed- The 
bull to which the first prize was awarded is an admirable specimen, although 
on account of his age, six years, somewhat paunchy. Judging from his 
appearance, this bull should wei<4h over 24 cwt. His deep broad body, on 
short legs, levelness, straightness of line along the back, neatness of shouhler, 
characteristic neck and head and grent substance, have long been dis- 
tinguishing characteristics of the better specimens of the Polled An;4us breed. 
The &ime may be said of the second-prize bull as to straightness and g'Kxl 
lines, and indeed he is sweeter about the head and neck than the first- 
prize bull, although wanting in the great substance of the latter. Leaving 
out the first- and second-prize bulls in this class, either of the three bulls 
