NOTES FROM THE OLD LAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 20

NOTES FROM THE OLD LAND.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) GLASGOW, October 16. This old Scotland of ours is at the present time among the most favoured ol the countries in t.hc matter of weather. It ifi true that during the summer months a number of places were threatened with a water famine, but no great extreme was reached ere, in the providence of God, relief came. The turnip fields suffered worst. In many parts yet the traces of the drought can bo discerned. This has been so in the east and the west. There arc in many instances ugly blank spaces with very ordinary crops on the adjoining land. The shortage in the turnip crop will, of course, mean increased expenditure on other feeding stuffs, and a considerable reduction of the profits of the farm, if, indeed, there be any left in certain cases. In most instances the grain crops have been secured; but, during a sojourn in the Garrick district of Ayrshire on Saturday, I noticed from the train that one farmer was still busy with the reaping machine. Everywhere else the corn seemed to have been secured in good time and in good condition, ana I . could not find out how it came that this individual was so much behind the rest. As a rule tho grain crops will be about an average in bulk and quality. The longcontinued drought did affect the bulk of straw, and, in some cases, the quality of the grain; but this is in a large measure being made up for by the late districts having their crops reaped in the best of condition. It has been quite a busy time of late and the more recent sales of store sheep sales passed off with much success. Good prices were got for the pedigree stock, and the more recent sales of store keep have yielded capital prices. Indeed, those who bought at the earlier lamb sales will have a nice margin to go and come upon as the prices have gone up considerably. What is now known in Scotland as the “ Shorthorn Week ” finished last Friday, and although tho extreme prices of some former seasons were not reached, tho money made by pedigree stock must be regarded us eminently satisfactory. The sales begun with the Collynio and Uppcrmill lots. Mr William Duthio cn this ocasion offered 25 bull calves, and. conforming to the requirements of the time, he submitted his stock to the tuberculin test, the results being intimated by tho auctioneer in every case. Tho reactors were not popular. Only in one case did a.n animal suffering from this defect start above 25gs. Very rarely did the prices accord with the individual merits of the animals, apart from tho results of the test. In 1912 the top price of the sale was 2000 gs for a calf. He was bought to go to South America; but, failing to pass the tuberculin test, he was bought hv a home breeder for something like £Boo' Taken as a lot, the CVdiynie calves were not quite so good us has been the case in some recent years, and none ol them reached tho four-figure mark. 'Hie average for the 25 sold was £263 6s Bd, as compared with £377 8s 7d for 24 in 1912. I'he top figure this year was 900 gs, paid by Mr Cazalet, Tonbridge, Kent, for Collynie Knight Victor, by the grand breeding bull Knight of Collynie (112229) out_of a Princess Royal dam, by the DanCsfielcl Storm King (94827), tho sire of the £llO2 10s white calf Snow Storm, of 1910. The next best figure was 720 gs given by Mr Henry (Milmhortc) for the rod calf Collynie Goldsmith, by Knight of Collynie out of Rose of Collynie, the dam of Proud Jubilant, one of the stock bulls in the Royal herd at Windsor. The third best price was 650 gs, given by Mr Law (Mains of Sanquhar, Forres) for another of the gets of Knight of Collynie out of a Clipper cow, the dam of the Highland and Agricultural Society’s first prize bull Collynie Cruickshank. Collynie Cold Silicic, out of a Goldie dam, and by the same sire as tho others, made 450 gs, at which price ho passed to Senor Ungimo for exportation to the Argentine. Others of the Collynie bulls made up to 320 gs. Mr Uuthio’s nephew (Mr J. Duthio Webster) sold five bull calves on the same occasion, his average being £77 Is sd. The Uppcrmill sale followed immediately afterwards. Mr John Man- disposed of 14 bull calves at an average of £BS 15s each, which is a great improvement on last year, when his average for 15 was £46 2s 7d. The best price was 220 gs. which was given by Mr Hall (Sherrington) for Prince Georirc. a red calf by Esmond (111713). and, like the best of tho Collynio lot, he is from a Princess Royal dam. Tho next highest figure was 210 gs, paid by Mr Wright (Bricebridge, Lincoln! for the red Bride’s Favourite, by the Uppcrmill stock bull Royal Lender (90424). The same gentleman gave 140 gs for tho red roan King Jubilant, by T> n of fVir* Corn family. Several other bull calves made three figures. Mr Marr also disposed of 14 heifer calves, which made an average of £39 3s. Mr William Duthio gave HOgs for Lady Dorothy LX, a pretty red roan by Royal Leader. Then follower] the dispersal of the noted herd built up by the late Mr A. M. Gordon. of Newton, Tnseh. Aberdeenshire, and owned by Captain A. T. Gordon, his heir.

Along with the Newton cattle there wae sold the bulk of the cattle in the Cornbacauscway, or .Loanhead, herds, which had in recent years been the special care of the young laird. The average for 100 head was the splendid one of £lls 3s 3d. The 45 cows averaged £l2l 2s. There was a strong demand for Clipper blood. For Charity XIV, belonging to that tribe, and by the noted giro Newton Crystal (92658), the Hon, H. C. Lewis (Stoan Castle, Pembroke) gave 520 gs. This is a three-year-old of splendid shape and quality all over. Charity Xii, of the same tribe, was token by Major Morris (Malmesbury) at 170 gs; and Newton Clipper HI, calved in 1908, was bought by Captain Ogilby (Pillipar) for 400 gs. Another Clipper by Christmas Star (94655) was bought by Mr Cazalet (Kent) for 200 gs: and Colonel Johnstone (Lismurdie) paid 200 gs for a five-year-old Clipper by Red Cross (88711). A six-year-old Nonpareil, by Royalist (93232', made 300 gs, and the same price was paid for a seven-year-old Augusta, by Coastguard (88216). the" purchaser being Mr Madon (Bacup). Nino two-year-old heifers averaged £142 6s Bd, the leading price being 230 gs. paid by Mr Maden for Newton Clipper V, a beautiful white, byLord Advocate (105009). The 10 yearling heifers sold averaged £llO ss. the handsome price of 3Oogs being paid by the Hon. Mr Lewis for a Jealousy, by the great breeding Newton Crystal. Others —a Sithyton Secret and a Jealousy respectively—went to 240 gs and 150 gs. The 18 heifer calves sold hud the fine average of £lO4 14s 2d, and here again the Clippers scored, the red Newton Clipper VI, by Astronomer (104579), making 310 gs to Captain Ogilby. Charity XVIII, by the same sire, and a Clipper, made 250 gs, the purchasers being the Department of Agriculture in Ireland. Hie 15 bull calves averaged £95 18s. with a top price of 230 gs, paid by the Irish Department of Agriculture for Newton Councillor, a. red roan from the Clipper tribe by Newton Crystal. The three stock bulls averaged £l2O Is, Mr J. Douglas Fletcher (Rosehaugh, Ross-shire) giving 250 gs for Astronomer, a four-yoar-old from an Augusta dame, by Newton Star (103183). At a sale of drafts on the following day *" at Aberdeen some good prices were got for shorthorns, the 259 cattle sold making an average of £42 12s 4d. This week there has boon a great threedays’ sale of Clydesdale horses at the Ijanark Auction Mart. What has taken place has affirmed what I have already stated in these columns, that where there is a combination of the best blood with high individual merit good money is forthcoming. More than ordinary importance was attached to tliis sale on account of the fact that three important lots of horses were to com© under the hammer. One was a draft from the Clydesdale stud belonging to the trustees of the lute Mr Robert Chapman, of Johnston, Gartcosh. It is estimated that the Dumber of people who attended on the first day of the sale was about 3000. So large was the crowd that the sale had to be conducted in a field adjoining the auction mart of Messrs Lawrie, of Eyminton. The first animal sold from this lot was Winsome Baroness, bred by Mr William M’Connell, Glaswick, Kirkcowan, and got by the famous 13aron’s Pride (9122) out of a dam by the celebrated Prince of Kyle (7155) with granddum by the famous Macgregor (1457). This mare was first at Ayre three years in succession, and gained the reserve championship, while she was twice first at Glasgow. Many other honours were gained by her at local shows. She is now 11 years old. Mr Alex. M’lntyre, Brae, Dingwall, claimed her at 180 gs. Heather Gem was a second prize-winner at the show of the Highland and Agricultural Society. She : s a seven-year-old, got by the Cawdor Cup champian Jtcvelanta (11&76) out of a maro by the £IOOO horse Montrose Mac (9958). At 17flgs she passed to Mr Robert Brvdon, Tiie Dean, Soaham Harbour, one of the best judges in the United Kingdom. Her filly was by Bonnie Buchlyvie (14052) made 75gs. Heather Music, a daughter of the Champion Oyama (13118) made 120 gs. But the sensation of the day came when the coll foal by Baron of Buchlyvie (11263) out of Lady Freda by Royal Favourite (10630) was brought into the ring. Lady Freda has teen a wonderful breeder, all her foals having been sold at an average of £2OO. This is a well-grown youngster foaled in May, and he has beautiful bones, feet, and legs, with lots of style and true Clydesdale character. Any number of people were after him until ho reached 400 gs, and then the final struggle was between two of the best judges in Scotland —Mr James Kilpatrick, Craigi© Mains, Kilmarnock, and Mr James Pickin, Tons, Kirkcudbright. The former, however, proved the better stayer, and the colt went to Craigie Mains at the record price of 520 gs. Almost immediately afterwards another superior foal entered the ring—a filly by the great breeding stallion Apukwa (14567), a son of the champion Hiawatha, out of Heather Charm by Baron’s Pride, with granddum by Royal Favourite, the sire of the Cawdor Cup champion Scotland Yet. This foal is up to a big size, with remarkably fine flat flinty bones, and close true action. There was keen competition for her; but again Mr Kilpatrick could not he defeated, and she was knocked down to him at 300 gs. The Craigie Mains stud has thus the addition of two of the highest-priced Clydesdale foals ever bought at public auction. In the hands of their new owner they will receive every justice, and the public will hear more of the illustrious youngsters. A filly foal by the champion Bonnie Buchlyvie out of Royal Queen, by Royal Favourite, with granddam by the champion Royal Gnrtly (9844), made IBsgs. The two-year-old filly Heather Luck, bv Baron of Buchlyvie out of Lady Freda, by Royal Favourite, which lias now 20 first and champion prizes to her credit made 300 gs. The average for 120 head of all ages was £139 12s. A draft of 13 head from the stud of Mr Robert Park, Brunstanc, Portobello, was disposed of on the same occasion, and averaged £79 0s lOd each. The highestpriced animal was the two-year-old colt Ivanhoe of Brimstone (17310), by Diana’s Prince out of White Stockings (16140), by M’Vinnie. A number of people wore after him. and at 280 gs ho should be a sound investment, as he has been lot for next season to the Perthshire Agricultural Society at liberal terms. The dam of this colt, White Stockings, foaled in 1897, and served by Baron of Buchlyvie, made 105 gs. Her filly foal by Baron of Buchlyvie was bought 1-- that J judge, Mr tFil'.iam Rcnv.fck MeadowfTeld, Corstorphino, Edinburgh, at 135 gs. Two filly foals by the celebrated Dunmure Footprint (15203) went respectively at 90gs and 80gs each. A third draft of Clydesdales was from the stud of Mr A. M. Simpson, Whitecross, East Kilbride. His 15 head averaged £4B 2s each. The only price of note was 280 gs paid for the tWo-year-old filly May Degree by Mr William Dunlop, Dunmure

Mains, Ayr. This young marc is by Mr Simpsons well-known stallion High Degree (14705) out of Maggie II of Largiemore (28073), by Fashion Plate. The business for the day was highly creditable to the northern nationality. Hie 231 animals sold, which included quite a large number of ordinary work horses, averaged £sl 3s, the drawings amounting to £11.814. On Wednesday 235 animals were .sold at an average of £32 8s 6d each, the larger proportion being colt and filly foals. The concluding day of the sales (Wednesday) was confined to fillies and geldings. Of tho former 124 wore sold at an average of £46 7s sd, and wherever there was quality and breeding bids came freely, and good prices were obtained. A show was held in tho mo,rn;ng, at which prizes were awarded. The winner in the filly class was by Koyal Favourite out of a Lord Forrester mare, and she wont to £145. The second prize one was a black by the Cawdor Cup champion Scotland Yet out of a dam by Baron Gibson, and she made the top figure of the day—namely, £173. Tho third prize one was by the same sire out of a Gav Wyndham dam, and she wont to £145/ The* 196 geldings disposed of made an average of £39 11s Id. Business continued brisk up to the end of the third and concluding day. Whenever a good animal appeared in the ring there was no dufficulty in obtaining a price for it. There is plenty' of life still in tho Scottish Clydesdale trade. In this connection it is worthy of note that although Canadians are still operating sparingly Clydesdales continue to be bought in ever-increasing numbers by other countries. R' newed orders have come from Russia, a good many are going to South Africa, and this week 13 are leaving for Sweden.