GLIMPSES OF OTHER LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12740, 17 December 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

GLIMPSES OF OTHER LANDS.

[BY THOMAS ALLEN'.]

No. VII

BONNIE .SCOTLAND. Few people would show, any preference for., visit Scotland during the month of Octoirier, but an important .sale in. the Far North led us to take the journey at that, somewhat unusual period, A few days' were spent in Edinburgh, where the rugged cliff, crowned will) the old historic cattle, will always be an object- of interest. From the castle to St. (tiles' Cathedral, with its old memories and associations, pacing the Heart of Midlothian, which still mark.* the old entrance to the Tolboothsi and 'all. its glim surroundings; then to John Knox s house, which is visited by many a" pilgrim, who feels thankful that the sturdy defender' of the faith did not live in vain ; down the High-street, past: the entrance to so many closes formerly the. residences of the wealthy, but now occupied by the Mibmerged tenth, till we reach HoiyroodPalace, with its memories of Queen" Mary and Darnlcy.

A brief visit to the Grey Friars* Churchyard, with the martyrs' memorial, dear to all lovers of their country, and the stone on -which the Solemn League and Covenant was signed ; to the University, where. so many young New Zcalanders have graduated, and taken their degrees in medicine, and the Loyal Infirmary, acknowledged to be the finest training school for hospital nurses in the world; and last, but not least in importance, that line monument in Princes-street erected to..the, memory of Sir Walter Scott, whose writings are still considered to be masterpieces, of English literature. It is now generally, admitted that Edinburgh is the finest city in the world, and if this is granted, then without, a doubt it would be difficult to find a- rival to Princes-street. The magnificent buildings, on (he one side would be an ornament to any city, and then on the other side the Scott'monument, the beautiful gardens, and the tine terrace terminating at the cliffcrowned castle, while the Carlton Hill occupies a prominent position at the other end of the street. There is a ; very pleasant drive out to Queen's Ferry, where we passed through the tine estate of Da-lmcny, the seal, of Lord llosebery, and here we had a splendid view of. that triumph of engineering skill, the Forth Bridge. On. resuming our journey, we passed Stirling and Perth,, crossing the Tay, the Esk, and the Dee, and soon arrived in " the Granite City," Aberdeen. - '■-

;.-."" SHORTHORN CATTLE. Knowing the great interest that is taken in the breeding of cattle in New Zealand, the object of our journey was to attend a. sale of Shorthorn cattle, bred by the. Tate" Mr. W. 8. Marr, of Uppermill, hear Old. Meldrum, Aberdeenshire, It : was one of the most : important sales of Shorthorn, cattle that had been held in Scotland for, many years. The Uppermill : herd of 1 Shorthorns is one of the oldest, for J the late Mr. Man's father began to build it tip, more than 50 years ago from Lite best strains that were available. This work was continued by the son, who up to the time of his death early this year manifested the same zeal that had characterised his father, and had further improved the herd by, the infusion of the best Cruiekshank ,blood obtainable. For many years past cattle from the Uppermill herd have realised the 'highest! prices, both in Canada and the United; States, and some of the highest-priced: cattle soldi there recently have been the progeny of stock purchased from "the; late Mr. William S. Marr. .', •• Adjoining Uppermill is - 'the ' estate ■ ■ of \ Collynie, farmed by Mr. William Duthie, and for some time past the late Mr.', Mam and Mr. Duthie .have held joint sales of the bull calves from the two herds annually. : - From this necessarily brief introduction if. will be readly. understood that widespread interest) was taken in the sale. ■ It had been the theme of conversation among cattlemen in the United States and Canada for. months past, and when it was known -that; the whole of the valuable Uppermill herd,; with the annual draft, of bull calves from the Collynie herd, were to be sold by auction at the same time and place, there was «i general desire manifested to be present. .-■ A RECORD SALE. The day of the sale, Tuesday, October' 11, was all that could be desired, line,' bright, and bracing. It was estimated that fully 2000 were present, and among the number were the Earl of Aberdeen, representatives of Lord Calthorpe and Lord Rothschild, everybody of note in the Shorthorn world of Great" Britain and Ireland, with many others from the United States: and; Canada, and a few visitors from Australia: and New Zealand, also a representative of. Shorthorn breeders in the Argentine.: Many of the prominent breeders present expressed the opinion, that they did : not; think the present generation .would have: the opportunity of witnessing such another sale. " A large number of vehicles met each! train, and conveyed the visitors to .Upper-: mill, a distance of some four miles, where a spacious marquee had been erected, and the visitors supplied with a sumptuous! luncheon in relays of about"soo. The.sale began punctually at noon, when Mr. John ■ M, Eraser, of Messrs. Macdouald, Eraser and Co., stock auctioneers, of .Perth,} mounted the rostrum and read the condilions of sale. From the outset it was .seen that the; bidding would be keen, and it is safe to say that (scores, if not hundreds,' of those present; who came with the full intention of btiving. never even got the length of a bid. * UPPERMILL BULLS, of the 20 bull calves in the UppenniUherd, the highest price realised was for Proud Prince, a stylish roan, ten months old. out of a Princess RoTal cow, and sired by His Majesty 83721, that was sold in the Argentine his' year for £2200. The bidding, for Proud Prince was brisk. Starting at 100 guineas, he was soon mil up to 320 guineas, and knocked down to Mi. George Rodger, of Selkirk, who was understood .to be buying for the Argentine. ; : ..' -.-'-iVO.- | Royal Pennant, a nice roan, only five moaths old, sired by Royal Diamond 84600.. out of the Princess of Morn, was sold for 250 guineas to Sir Alexander Henderson. ; ! Proud Conqueror came next in value,, and was sired by Cassius 83045. and out of■ the; Princess Royal cow whose calf last year; was sold tor 600 guineas. This promising eight-month-old bull calf realised 250 guinea*;. Missie's Crown, a promising roan six months old bull calf, sired by Bapton Sapphire 80393, and out of one of the popular Missie family, was sold for 205 guineas." The excitement reached white heat, when the. handsome roan stock bull Bapton Favourite 76080 entered the ring. " This five-year-old bull was bred by Mr. J. Deane Willis, of Bapton .Manor, and sired by Bapton Emigrant 71970, dam Cowslip, and had a good strain of the Cruickshank blood in: his veins. Mr. W. Duthie started him at; 200 guineas, and the contest became very keen, but he was eventually knocked down lo Mr. C. Rodger, for the Argentine, Tor; the sum of 1200 guineas. COWS AND HEIFERS. ' It was generally admitted: thai- only about once: in a lifetime was such an opportunity likely to occur for.securing cows and heifers of the. best -strain". There- weie4'll pure-bred cows offered,' and although some of them were aged the ■ bidding right- through was keen, 'lite highest, price realised for cows whs for a .three-, ear-old Alexandrine, sired by .Lovat Star 77139, purchased by Mr. O. Rodger tor 350 guineas for the Argentine. The next two in value were purchased by Mr. W. Duthie. of Collyuie, although he was runup close by the Argentine purchaser. They were the three-year-old tiara, by Lavender, Victor 76991,' which realised M 0 -guineas, .and ';» fine seven-year-old.•Missie"; cow;' sired by Golden 8ay*67132, which was knocked down for 500 guineas. The next in value was the Waterloo | Princess Royal, sired by Squire Nonpareil

75723. out of Pauline 2nd. This fine led three-year-old cow was purchased' by' Mr. Geo. Rodger, for the Argentine 'for 280 guineas. " There were eight, two year-old heifers catalogued. and the highest price was given for the beautiful roan Princess Royal 32nd. sired by Baplon Favourite ; 76080. After keen competition she was knocked down to Mi'. Geo. Rodgers for the ;Argentine for 400 guineas. '/'.;_'. ;■;' - " : There were 21 yearling heifers, and ■• forseveral the competition was very keen.' A ndsome man of the Butterfly family, sired by .Baplon Diamond 78289. was purchased by Mr. Rodger for -'350 guineas for the Argentine. He was .1 =<• the puvel'iakft of the fine nifyi Princess Royal 89th, sire;! bv Baron Beaufort 80399. for the mho of 320 guineas. : For the 20 heifer calves there was steady bidding, and the' highest price was given for Nonpareil Princess 2nd, a very promising seven -month -old roan, sired by Cassius, 83015. and sold for ; 340 guineas, while the next in value Silas Princess Royal 92nd. also a sevcn-nionlh-o'd roan, and sired by Royal .Diamond 84600. She ""as purchased by. Mr. Robert Brut'-, of Dublin, for 550 guineas.

QOLLYNII-J STOCK..'.-' ' "Mr. Dtilbie .bad eighteen. Collyhie bull calves catalogued, and their merit was recognised, in the keen competition they elicited. The highest price obtained was ■for Collynie. Mint, 'a handsome roan, seven* months-old bull calf, sired by Scottish Fancy 75601, out of Mistletoe 16* th. Starting at 200 guineas he soon ran up, and -was purchased for the Argentine by Mr. Geo. .Rodger for the sum of 620 guineas. The nejit in value was the seveu-inonth-old red bull calf Royal Purple, sired by Royal Edward 02153, 'and .out of Augusta 83rd.; After very keen competition he was knocked clown to 'Mr. Rodger for the Argentine for 600 - guineas. The eight-month-old : bull ' calf Collynie. Crown, sired by .Royal ; *Kdward 82153. came next in value. -He. wis started at 100 guineas, and alter an exciting contest, was secured by Mr. Hodge's for 410 guineas for the Argentine. 7 •;

Royal Marksman, a line roan* eleven-month-bid' bull calf, and sired "by.Royal Edward 82155. out of Mademoiselle 14th, was. purchased for 200 guineas by. Mr. 1 bidding, of Riby Grove, Lincoln; the breeder of the 1000-guinea Lincoln nun.": -~/:{ TOTAL PROCEEDS UrPEKMILTj .JIEIIDi I ".:!■£: s. d. ■' 20 Bull calves realised ... ... ■■ 2,502' 3 0 3 Stock hulls realised' ... ... 1,606 10 ,0 41 Cows: realised ...... ... . 15376 10 ,0 ; 8 Two-year-old heifers realised 1.24?. 3 0 I 21 Yearling heifer* realised ... 5.318 0 0 20 Heifer calves realised ... 2,112 ;0 ; 131 ' £17.658 '4 0 | COLIiYKIB HERD. .',.„'''.''"..';, '•■'■;■- '. £ s. d. 11 Bull calves realised ... ... 4.079 50 | Thus the 131 UippermilliuidjiCollynie ; cattle realised the vciv satisfactory sum of | £21,737 9s. • ' '■" : i The largest purchaser was Mr. George i Rodger, of Bridgeland, Selkirk, who secured ! 24 of the finest cattle in the two herds for i the Argentine at a total cost .'of 7110 ! guinea!:!. ■.- ■■' ' ; ''■ ; BEEF PRODUCERS. Having noticed some herds of Pulled Angus cattle grazing on the farms .between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, we inquired of some graziers as to their experience of the relative merits; m the Shorthorn and Polled Angus cattle. Their reply was to,the effect that store cattle were worth about £1 12s 6d per cWjt live weight.'and that : when fattened they often realised from £1 15s In £2 per. cwt live eight, Inn; that the Polled. Angus cattle' often fetched, ss, per cwt. They farther said that with -'platform scales in many of -the leva ids. and each beast having to pass oyer the; platform on entering the yard, the dial showing the weight in cwt, being fixed near the auctioneer,' sometimes . ';;'the : rostrum, the buyers can now see the live weight registered, and have; some help in; estimating the value of the cattle.-': Then "with regard to the higher priced cattle, they said it usually required two or : three mouths longer .to fatten a , Polled Angus bullock than one of the Shorthorn ■breedJi'S(>'' that the extra three shillings per cwt live weight: did not compensate them for the labour- ex-; pended and the extra food consumed . CULTIVATED LAXI>.

Oil our journey from London to Edinburgh we. saw very few indications of harvest, and diet: hoi "observe any grain slacks near the London and North-western , Rail-! way. Continuing our journey north; from Edinburgh to Aberdeen by the .Caledonian Railway, we : could not help noticing the large number of stacks of grain in the various farmyards. After passing several' groups a resolve was made to.make a rough count of those within an easy distance off the line. Owing to the speed, of the train we passed a number that we were unable to count, and others were on the opposite side of the railway from where'-we were looking. 'Leaving: all those out of the reckoning, we counted between^66o!•■ and 700 round stacks of grain,, all well built and thatched, being in groups oi: ■ from 10 to 40. and far higher than they ' are usually built in New Zealand. ■" : :;;