Shorthorns  in  Scotland  and  Ireland.  77 
In  Ireland,  as  in  Scotland,  bulls  are  generally  disposed  of 
when  from  eight  to  fifteen  months  old.  Mr.  XV.  T.  Talbot- 
ts 'rosbie,  of  Ardfert  Abbey,  and  Mr.  R.  Wellsted,  of  Ballywalter, 
still  maintain  their  annual  auction  sales  which  have  gone  on 
for  thirty  and  twenty  years  respectively,  and  which  have  become 
so  familiar  as  landmarks,  or  rather  as  marks  of  recurring  seasons, 
in  the  routine  of  Irish  Shorthorn  history  that  every  one  would 
be  loath  to  find  them  discontinued.  Most  other  breeders  sell 
their  bulls  either  privately  or  at  joint  sales  in  Dublin,  Belfast, 
Cork,  Limerick,  or  elsewhere.  The  principal  rendezvous  has 
long  been  the  Spring  Show  of  the  Royal  Dublin  Society,  held 
annually  in  March.  Here  about  100  or  120  head  of  young 
Shorthorn  bulls  are  usually  exhibited,  and  the  great  majority 
•of  them  are  sold  by  private  treaty  during  the  continuance  of  the 
Show.  Prices  as  a rule  are  rather  higher  in  Ireland  than  in 
Scotland.  In  the  former,  to  be  sure,  a good  many  third-rate 
bulls  are  sold  at  such  low  prices  as  from  16  to  20  guineas,  but 
then  the  proportion  of  the  Irish  supply  that  exceeds  40  guineas 
a head  is  greater  than  that  of  the  Scotch.  In  1882,  120  bulls 
were  sold  publicly  in  Ireland  at  an  average  of  35/.  2s.  Q^d., 
being  6 1.  7s.  lO^cZ.  a head  above  the  average  in  1881. 
Conclusion. 
No  variety  of  cattle  fits  itself  more  easily  and  readily  to 
varying  conditions  of  life  than  the  Improved  Shorthorn.  This 
undoubtedly  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  attributes  of  the  breed. 
Without  it  Shorthorns  could  have  made  but  little  headway  in 
foreign  countries,  where  they  are  now  , doing  good  work.  In 
both  Scotland  and  Ireland  they  have  thriven  admirably — nearly 
as  well,  indeed,  in  the  cold  dry  climate  of  the  north-east  of 
Scotland,  with  close  house  winter-feeding,  as  in  the  mild  moist 
climate  of  the  South  of  Ireland,  with  daily  field-exercise  all  the 
year  round.  In  both  countries  there  are  numerous  pure-bred 
herds  of  high  individual  merit,  a few  of  them  ranking  among 
the  finest  in  the  kingdom.  The  Aberdeenshire  Shorthorn  has 
attained  a well-recognised  type — somewhat  deficient  in  high- 
class  Shorthorn  character  perhaps,  but,  at  the  same  time,  broad, 
deep,  well-fleshed,  and  thoroughly  useful.  Then,  as  to  well- 
bred  and  well-cared-for  Irish  Shorthorns,  who  has  not  been  struck 
by  their  rich,  soft,  natural  touch,  and  beautiful,  rank,  glossy 
coat  of  hair,  as  well  as  by  their  attractive  character  generally  ? 
But  while  the  breed  reared  in  its  purity  has  maintained  a 
high  character  in  these  countries,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  in 
crossing  with  other  varieties  of  cattle  it  has  achieved  still  more 
remarkable  results.  Shorthorns  have  been  crossed  freely  with 
