Polled Aberdeen and Angus Cattle. 
3G3 
through " Lavender" (1007). The first two are from " Fanny 
of Kinnaird," and it is as her desendants that these strains are 
Jiiost generally known. They are an excellent lot of cattle ; 
and, as stated by Mr. Carnegie, are noted milkers. " Lavender " 
was a granddaughter of " Old Lady Anne." Most of the other 
families in the Kinnaird herd are extinct except in the male line. 
The " Ericas " of Ballindalloch, one of the most valuable tribes 
of the breed, trace from the first herd at Kinnaird. 
In Kincardineshire the breed has found several ardent 
admirers, who have by systematic and skilful breeding effected 
improvements in it. Chief among these were the late Mr. Robert 
Walker, Portlethen ; the late Mr. Hector, Fernyflat ; Sir Thomas 
Gladstone, Bart., of Fasque ; and Mr. Scott, of East Tulloch. 
Few men did more real solid work in the improvement of the breed 
than the late Mr. Robert Walker. For over fifty years he was 
one of the leading breeders of polled cattle in the country ; and, 
commencing in 1818, he built up and brought to a high state 
of perfection a choice herd of from 80 to 100 head. The main 
portion of his herd was dispersed after his death in 1874, but 
a part was retained and is being successfully carried on by his 
son, Mr. R. B. Walker, who succeeded him as tenant of the 
Mains of Portlethen. Mr. Walker reared some celebrated bulls, 
notably " Fox Maule " (305) and the " Banks of the Dee," 
both distinguished Shovvyard animals. Of Mr. Walker's great 
success in the Showyard, Mr. McCombie, in his ' Cattle and 
Cattle Breeders,' says, " It would be endless to attempt to sum up 
his victories — local, national, and international — they are spread 
over such a large surface." In one season the descendants of the 
" Banks of the Dee " gained no fewer than seven first prizes 
and one second. 
Passing to the north side of the River Dee, we find a long 
list of successful early improvers. Headed by the late Mr. 
William McCombie, of Tillyfour, M.P., this formidable list 
includes, among others in Aberdeenshire, Mr. William McCombie, 
of Easter Skene ; Colonel Eraser, of Castle Eraser ; Mr. Harry 
Shaw, Bogfern ; Mr. Reid, Greystone ; the late Colonel Gordon, 
of Fyvie ; the late Mr. Dingwall Fordyce, of Brucklay, M.P. ; 
the late Dr. Robertson, of Indego ; and, farther north, in the 
counties of Banff and Moray, Mr. W. J. Tayler, of Glenbarry ; 
the late Mr. Morrison, of Bognie ; the late Mr. Walker, Mont- 
bletton ; the late Mr. Patterson, Mulben ; Sir George Macpherson 
Grant, Bart., of Ballindalloch, M.P. ; the late Mr. James 
Skinner, Drumin ; the late Mr. George Brown, Westertown ; 
and the late Mr. John Collie, Ardgye. The herds that belonged 
to several of these gentlemen do not now exist ; but most of 
their leading strains are to be found in other herds, giving good 
