GREAT EVENTS IN THE HOME LAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 13

GREAT EVENTS IN THE HOME LAND.

NEW RECORDS FOR THE ABERDEENANGUS ANI> SHORTHORN BREEDS. 1700 GUINEAS .FOR AN AYRSHIRE OADF. (From Oub Special Correspondent.) GLASGOW, February 22. Never n the history of the world have such phenomenal figures been obtained for pedigree cattle as during the last few weels. Away back in the last century, in one 01 two.isolated cases, individual animals may have teen sold at as high prices, but this year hundreds of cattle have made averages well in through the three-figure line. This is just what I predicted long ago in these columns. Ihe cessation of hostilities was the signal for a sharp and rapid advance. I was aware long ago that agents representing the Argentine, the United States, and other foreign countries, as well as the British dominions, were ready to pounce upon the British markets as soon as there was the remote chance for transit. This does not promise too well even yet, but the exporters do not wish to bo caught napping, and they attended in large numbers at the sales of pedigree stock which have been held in the North of Scotland and in England. Their purchases have been numerous and important. Jt is, however, gratifying to know that some of the best-bred sires have been retained in the country, and that there is no fear of our home stock degenerating in consequence of the demands of the exporters. Amid all our labour troubles happily the breeders of pedigree cattle have maintained their confidence in the ever-grow-ing success of their enterprise. The great spring event of the Aberdeen-Angus world is the annual sale at Perth. It was anticipated that the demand from abroad would bo great, and in this we have not been disappointed. The new record of 2800 gs was established twice over—once by an Argentine ajrent and again by a home breeder. As has been customary at these sales, a show was held on the morning of th© opening day, _ at which prizes were awarded for individual animals and for groups. The judges are entirely influenced by the individual merits of the cattle placed before thein. It thus frequently transpires that tho prices made in the rings do not correspond with the positions of the cattle in the prize-list. Breeders of pure stock are frequently influenced by pedigree, and sometimes small defects ai'e overlooked for tho sake of the facts put down upon paper. At Perth the females were first disposed of, when 101 in all made an overhead aver-

age of £96 19s 4d, as compared with an average of £6l 4s 6d for 122 cows and heifera at the spring sale of 1918, The top figure of the day was 500 gs given for a Jilt yearling heifer—Jingle 111 of Castle Craig, which was only fifth in her class at the show. She is by Watchman of Ballindallooh (37101) out of Jacynth of Stonehouse (47522), by Everlasting of Baliindallooh (24435). while her second dam was by Bion (11454), which at one time held the record for price. The first prize-winner in tho class, Bessie Bummer 11, from Ballintomb, realised 450 gs, being bought for the Argentine. The other prize-winners in the yearling class sold as follows: Second prize, Ruth TV of Gallovie, lOOgs; third prize, Jilt of Achvoohkle, 250 gs; fourth prize, Pinky P., 80gs. One of the heifera outside the prize-list, Baffling Maid lU, made 300 gs. She came from the same herd as Jingle 111, and was also by Watchman. The average for 64 yearling heifers was £93 8s 8d each. In the two-year-old heifer class the first prize went to Moynesa Blaokbird V, and her price was 360 gs. The second prize heifer, Evergreen 111. of Moyness, made 400 gs; the third prize one, Ermine of Nuide, 430 gs; and the fourth prize one, Joanna of Braevail, 200cfs. For the 23 sold the average was £ll4 2s 8d each. Tho highest price for a cow was 175 gs, given for the three-year-old Gladys of tho Dell 11, one of the Princess of Drumin tribe. A dozen were sold, and the average was £7l 13s 3d. So far as the females were concerned the best herd _ averages were as follow: —Three from Mains of Moyness, £292 ss; four from Ballintomb, £240 3s 3d; three from Achvochkie, £147; nine from Braevail of Lethen, £122 19s 4d; six from Mains of Advie, £ll2 10s 6d; six from The Dell, £lll 2s 6d; and five from Easter Duthil, £lO5 12s 7d.

As soon as the heifers and cows were disposed of two bull classes were put under the hammer. No exceptional prices were tendered for the older animals, but when the bulls calved in Deeember, 1917, were brought forward the activities of buyers were at once accelerated. The first prize winner in this class was bought bv Mr George Clyne, Noss, Caithness, the # Clydesdale enthusiast, who has a very nice herd tip north. Mr Clyne gave 380 gs for Fred Frisky (43724), one of the famous Rose of Advie tribe, by Georgius Hex (37961), a bull which was champion of the show at Elgin in 1918. The second prize one. Black Baron of Castle Craig, by Watchman of Ballindalloch, realised sCogs; the third prize one, Knight of Braehead (44012), sold lor 160 gs; and the fourth prize one. Eclipse of Ballindalloch, was bought by Mr James Tulloch, Mains of Moyness, at 600 gs, which & roved to be the top price of the day. [er is an Erica of the famous Eisa line, and is by Evilesco of Ballindalloch (37812). Others in the class made up to 300 gs. On the second day of tho sale there was a vast assemblage of people when the auctioneer mounted the rostrum. A good deal of intelligent forecasting was indulged in. The most optimistic individuals round the ring had not very long to wait to have their highest hopes gratified. The very* first class to enter the ring—that for bulls calved in January, 1918 —contained tho reserve ohampion of the show —Emblem of Harviestoun (43417), from the renowned herd of Mr J. Ernest Kerr, of Harviestoun Castle, Dollar. This is a great specimen of the breed. Of big scale for his age, he is near the ground, and on parade proved exceedingly fetching. All over his flesh was about as perfectly laid on as could be. Got by Jason of Ballindalloch (38048), sire of last year's champion at Perth, he is the first calf out of the heifer Evergola of Harviestoun (56657), a Trojan—Erica, bv the celebrated breeding bull Prince of the Wassail (23751). Of course, all the big men were after him, but near the end of a keen 'contest Mr Ralph M'William, Stoneytown, who was acting for an Argentine firm, caone in and claimed Emblem at the new record price of 2800 gs. Mr Ernest Kerr has thus greatly improved upon his own two previous records, and was heartily congratulated on the fact. The second prize bull, Proud Eric of Aberlour (44516), a Pride of Aberden calf, made llOOgs; the third prize one, a Jilt from Mountholly, realised 450 gs; the fourth prize one made 340 gs; and the fifth prize one, an Erica, from Harviestoun, went at 470 gs. the class not included in the prize-list made excellent prices, 'ranging up to 360 gs. Then in the class for calves born in February, 191 S, there appeared the champion of the show, Erodemas (43553), owned by John F. Gumming, Kinermony, Aberlour, and of the most classical breeding. He was got by Edgar of Dalmeny (39289) out of Kinermony Ella (56071), by Evenwood of Harvie stoun (34499). Bidding was again keen, and eventually the bull went to Mr A. Cochrane, Parkhead, Alyth, for 2100 gs. The second prize bull in this class. Black "Bill of Tillyrie, a Mulhen Pride, by Edgar of Dalmeny, went to England at 600gs'; the third one. Edgar of Harviestoun. realised 320 gs. Others in the class not carrying the badges bestowed at the show made up to 290ga. Another period of intense excitement came when the animal which was first in the class for bulls calved in March was brought forward. Euripus of Ballindalloch, from Sir George Macpherson Grant's famous herd, is an Erioa of the noted Eisa line, by Evilesco of Ballindalloch (37812), and for distinctive Aberdeen-Angus character he can take his place among the best. Two of. the most noted of our Scottish breeders were after him, and others had a look in as well, including the enterprising gentlemen representing foreign countries. •■" But the final tussle lay between Mr J. Ernest Kerr, of Harviestoun Oastle, Dollar, and Mr James Kennedy, of Doonholm, Ayr. "Mr Kerr could not be beaten, and when he tendered tho same price as he received for his reserve champion, the hammer fell amid loud cheers. Thus it came that the new record of 280Og-s was repeated on the same day. The other prices in the class were not by any moans sensational, the second highest figure being 250 gs, given for the fourth prize, Ensicn of Harviestoun. In the class for bulls calved in April the only figure _ of note was 370 gs, paid for the first prize Esquire of Harviestoun. The 280 bulls sold during the two days averaged £ll2 16s 4d, as comoared with £65 6s 9d for 325 in 1918.. Some of the leading herd averages are worth quoting as follows, the figures given within parentheses being the number soldi—Kinermony (3), £322 15s; Ballindalloch (6), £757 15s; Harviestoun Oastle (7), £699; Aberlour- (21, £589 lis; Castlecraig (3), £169 15s;' Abergeldie Mains (3 from the King), £136 10s: Doonholm (6), £136 6s 6d; Inchgower (4), £llß 7s 9d; Damside (5), £llO 17s 7d. At Aberdeen on the following dav tho average dropped a little bit below that of the previous year, on account of the presence of a large number of bulls being forward which should not have been kept for breeding purposes. The 570 bulls sold averaged £sl 9s lOd each as compared with an average of £54 17s lOd in 1918. A Rose of Advie bull

whioh was made champion of the show realised the top prloe of 460 gs. But if the Aberdeen-Angus sales exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine of our stookmen, what must be said about the enterprise of the breeders of Shorthorns? The display at Perth was magnifr oont both in point of numbers and the excellence of the 6tock. Never in the history of these sales has the competition for the best class of stock been so keen as it was this year. The men from abroad were intent upon business, but home breeders were determined that all the best animals must) not leave the country. The results of the two days' auotions may be summarised as follows:—For ,15 cows the avei* age was £9O 16s Bd, compared with £ll4 16s 4d for eight last year} 16 two-year-old heifers averaged £lO7 6s. as against £lOl 2s for seven in 1918 j 59 yearling heifem averaged £145 15s, as against £9O Us 6d for 54 a year ago j and 424 oulls averaged £243 8s 6d, as compared with £164 7s 3d for 434 in 1918. The highest price for a bull was £4200,. compared with a top figure of £3255 at the spring- sales at Perth in 1918. Th*\ customary show preceded the sale, but the awards made there did not seem to influence the ring-side judges when they wore" N called upon to put down their money. Many of them, as in times past, gave a good amount of weight to the contents of the catalogue so far as-tho pedigree was concerned. This was apparent at the very outset of the sale. In the case of the two-year-old heifers only tho first two of the prize-winners went Into throe figures. The winner was tho thick, shapely Countess Bearorofts 111, whioh made 250 gs, and the second prize-winner was Miss Ramsden IX, a roan of capital qualty, tho price in thii case being 190 gs. Others which did not ' receive recognition from the judges .mad* up to 170 gs. There were some regular dandies among the yearling heifers. The first prize one, Countess of Aberdeen XVII, made 230 gs: the second prize, Belladrunj XII, by Oollynio Cruickshank, went up to 370 gs; the third prize one, a Broadhooks, realised 20Ogs, and the fourth prize one. Royal Fairy, by Keir Quartermaster, passed out at 170 gs. But prices much higher than any of these were got for heifers which di<f not impress the judges. A Princess Royal made 4tX)gs, and the top price of tho section was given for the Millhills Royal Princess, by Oollynie Bright Star —namely. 600 gs. The herd averages -for females included the following:—Millhills, £374 10s for three; Drakies, Inverness, £2BB 15s for two; Duchlage, £238 10s for three; Bankier. £2ll 8s for three; Stevenson Mains, £174 113 3d for four; Oloichfoldioh, £174 6s fo» seven; Aiges, £l4O 9s 9d for five; Auchnacre, £139 13s for two; and Keir, £124 12s for three. The older classes of bulls were also disposed of on the opening day. In the class for bulls calved before November 30, 1917, there were several good prices. The two at the top of the prize-list came from East Lothian. The first one, an Augusta, by President of the Mint out of a cow which has produced a number of notable prize-winners, made 530 gs. For the second one, Doune Augustus, by Dount Grand Knight, Mr Joseph G. Scott, Congalj ton, Drem,. paid 640 gs a year ago, ana now he goes to join the noted establishment of Mr J. Ernest Kerr at Harviestoun. for 1050 gs. Mr Kerr, in addition to having a tip-top herd of Doddies, keeps a select herd of Shorthorns, which"—are coming rapidly to. the front.- Polmaise Trophy, calved in November, 1917, which did not receive any recognition at the hands of the judges, made the highest price of the class, going to the Argentine at 1300 gs. He is by Redgorton Dictator. Gold Gup, a son of the famous breeding bull Cupbearer of Collynie, passed out for the same country at 700 gs. The best price in the next class for bulls calved in December, 1917, was 820 gs, given for tho fourth prize Royal Clipper, by Butterfly Royal. The other class disposed of was that for bulls calved in January, 1913. In this case Lady Gordon ,- Oathcart, Cluny Castle, Aberdeenshire, got 510 gs for the first prize Cluny Proud Victor. by President of the Mint. The Earl of - Rosebery, K.G., was second, with Lothian Lex, a white bull by Lex of Cluny. and a. lot of bidders were keen on him. Eventually he was sold at 1106g3 to go to South America. Boquhan Guinea Stamp, the third prize bull, followed to the same country at 18O0gs. Tho next two bulla made respectively 510 gs and 620 gs, but the top figure for the class was 1550g5, paid for the sixth prize bull, Ernest, a straightbred Rosewood. A Lady Dorothy, by a Redgorton sire, made IOSOgs for exportation, and tho round thousand was given by a United (States exporter for Naemoor Bridegroom, by Edgoote Masterpiece. There was quite a lot of excitement apparent when the sale began on the second day. The formers were to be disposed of, and tho most sanguine expectations were - realised. The Bulls calved in February, 1918, wore the first to enter the ring. At the top of tho prize-list stood the Earl of Rosebery's big sappy Lothian Marksman, by Collynie Grand Knight. He started off af 1500 gs. but in the end Mr Matthew Marshall, Bridgebank, Stranraer, claimed him at 3100 gs against the most determined opposition. The second prize calf, Garbity Prince Royal, made the moderate price of 150 gs, and the third prize one, Beaufort Royal Broadhooks, went to &50g». Then the fourth prize one, Lochdhu Challenger, went at a similar figure, while the fifth prize one, Proud Knight, by Proud Nonpareil, sold at SOOgs. The sixth prize Garbity Rosebud Chief made 960 gs. The premier position in the largest class of the day—that for bulls calved in March, 1918— was assigned to Captain J. M'Gillivray, Aldie, Tain, Ross-shire, for Aldie Armistice, by Millhills Rothes King. This great level bull was started at 2000 gs, and was sold for 2600g5. He goes to the Argentine. D. 5.0., the second prize bull, from the herd of Mr G. Bertram Shields. Dolphmgstone, Tranent, a young breeder who has met with remarkable' success, is a son of Sanquhar Grand Courtier. For him Captain M'Gillivray established a new record for Perth by tendering 33€0gs. An English breeder got the third prize bull, Butterfly Star, by Collvnie Violet Star, for 420 gs. _ Cluny Mintmaster, by President of the Mint, also went to England, but his price was the splendid one of 2400g5. Tho fifth prize bull, Balthavock Golden Sphere, by Collynie Golden Star, made ICOOgs; Lord Rosebery's sixth bull, Lothian Rotator, went to Caithness at 980 gs; and others in the class made up to 1500 gs paid to the Earl of Moray for Doune Majestic, by Dunglass Brilliant. The great sensation of tho day oamo when tho youngest class of all came into the ring—that for bulls calved after April 1, 3918. Lady Gordon Cathcartfi

Clun v Proud Augustus, by Hindley Grown out of a cow by President of tho Mint, was champion of the show, and a better one has not been eoen at Perth for many a, year. Ho appeared late in tho aftornoon, and a first bid of 200023 was tendered. Tho exporters wero all after him, but Mr Ifu&Jp Wobstor who was acting for his uncle, Mr William Duthio, of Collynie, came in »t the end and could not bo beaten. As the hammer fell at 4<X)ogs thero was a

regular round of hearty cheers. Mr Wm. Duthie was compelled to retiro to his room in the hotel suffering from a severe chill. Tho second bull, Clipper Favourite, by Cupbearer of Collynie, _ made lsOogs, going north to Sanquhar Mains, Forres; and the third bull, Redgorton Gentleman, by Edgcoto Czar, sold for IOOOgs. _ A high level of- pricos was maintained right up to the end. Soma remarkable herd averages wore obtained. ?J give tho following, the figures

within parentheses being the numbers sold:—Cluny Castle (5). £1652 14s; Dalmenv (4), £1420, Dolphingstono (b), £902 2a 6d; Gordon Castle (2), £853 7s 6d; Aldie (5), £oi;7 8s 6d; Milliuils (14), £609 4s 6d; Kedgorton (6), ±1570 10s; Polmaise (5),. £569 2s; JUoune Lodge (5), £SOB 4s; Harviestoun Castle (3), £47 Y 15 s; Monoss (4), £459 7s 6d; Gaxbity 14). £415 Is 3d; .Beaufort Castle (3), £399; Balthayock (9), £359 9s; Boquhan (11), £3r2 10s cd; Clunes Mains (4), £378; Dunglass (4), £364 17s 6d; Kinbeachie (3), £340 4a; Bearcrofts (3), £327 ss; Naemoor (7), £334 7s; Linksiield (6), £348 ss; and Balmerino (2), £336.

The sales which have taken place- on the .KngLs-h side of the border have eclipsed the Perth business completely in the matter of price at any rate. Never in the auctions at Birmingham and Penrith have animals of such outstanding merit been put before the public. They were, of course, all of the Scottish type, and the best of them bred in the north. At Birmingham the first bull to enter the ring on the opening day was Earl Manvers's Pirrepont Golden Prince, the reserve champion, which was calved in May, 1917. He was secured by Sir Walpole Greenwell, Bart., for service in his herd at Surrey for 4200g5. Tho next best price was 3OoOgs paid for Sir Own Phillips's Kilsant Wanderer, in the class for bulls between 15 and 18 months old. The total realised on the first day at Birmingham was £24,409. Twenty-six cows and heifers averaged £137 17s lOd, and 97 bulls £213 13s 8d On the second day of tho sale the King's champion, Windsor Knight, was put up to auction, and he, too, reached the 4200 gs mark, being bought for the Argentine. Mr William Duthie, Collynie, bought the highest-priced calf in the February class for l7oogs. This was Cudham President, a son of Golden Charm out of a Sittyton Clipper. The sum realised for the day was £23,038, the total for the two days being £47,447. The overhead average for 246 Shorthorns —male and female—was £192 16s 9d. A grand sale was also got for Shorthorns at Penrith. On tho opening day 148 cows and heifers averaged £93 10s 10d, and some very good prices were obtained for choicely-bred cattle. But on the second day all former records were completely smashed by Mr Matthew Marshall, Stranraer, paying 4750 gs to Mr J. W. Barnes for the champion Gartley Lancer. This bull was, 1 believe, bought cheap in Scotland, being bred at Brawlandknowes. This, too, has been a great year for the Ayrshire breed. Milk records are telling, and no mistake. I have already indicated some of the results at the earlier sales, and now 1 am in a position to give a summary of the home sales in Scotland. All over the business has been quite up to expectations, especially where the milk re cords have been high, particularly in butterfat. It is possible, I believe, that ere many years are gone a great central sale may be field after the fashion of the beef breeds. Here are the results at a glance, the figures given being the sverage prices obtained: Lessnessock. —Mr A. W. Montgomerie—27 bull stirks, £97 15s 4d; 14 two-year-old heifers, £lO5 13s 6d;—4l head, £IOO 9s 4d. Hobsland. —Mr Thomas Barr—3o bull stirks, £63 9s -3d; 2 two-year-old bulls, £33 12s; six cows, £46 7s 6d; two heifers, £4O 8s 6d;—4o head, £62. Netherton, .Newton Mearns. —Messrs T. and A. Clement—ls heifers,-£llß 10s 2d; 28 bull stirks, £B6 2s 9d ;—te head, £97 8s 7d. Dunlop Place.—Mrs E. L. Houison-Crau-furd —15 bull stirks, £4B 6s; four females, £49 7s;—l9 head, £4B 10s 9d. Bargenoch.—Mr J. Logan—l 7 bull stirks, £159 13s 3d; one three-year-old bull, £52 10s; two two-year-old bulls, £56 4s 6d; one two-year-old heifer, £3l 10s. Auchenbrain. —Messrs D. and W. Wallace —2l bull, stirks, £125 15s.

Hillhouse.—Mr James Howie —22 bull stirks, £IBO 17s 8d; two two-year-old bulls, £139 2s 6d.

Nethercraig.—Mr John Cochrane—lo bull stirks, £sl x6s Id; one two-year-old bull, £44 2s; five cows, £144 18s;—60 head, £BO 7s 6d. Shewalton Mains.—Mr James Seton—six bull fctirka, £39 6s Bd. It was thought that the limit in price for the year had been reached when Mr Adam W. Montgomerie tendered 1320 gs for the bull stirk Bargeneoh Royal Champion at Mr J. Logan's sale. This is a full brother to Mr Montgomerie'a stock bull Bargenoch Oasabianca, which he bought for 30Ogs two years ago. _ The milk records on both sides of the pedigree of Royal Ghamrpion are quite exceptional. His sire, tho home-bred Eargenoch Magnificent, was out of a cow which gave 1054 gallons of milk at 3.60 per cent, butter-fat in 39 weeks. His own dam in 1918 produced 10S5 gallons at 4.09_ per cent, butter-fat in 41 weeks. But this high figure was completely outdistanced at the Hillhouse sale, when Mrs E. L. Houison-Craufurd, of Dunlop, bought Howie's Hot Stuff at a cost of 1700 gs. Hot Stuff is one of the most perfect calves I have come across. He was bred by Mr Thomas Logan, Low Milton, Maybole, and is descended from the best of milk record stock. He is by Howie's Blockade, whose dam was a great milk, record cow, and he is out of Carston Mary Ann, a cow which, in 1918, gave 1017 gallons at 4.1 per cent, butter-fat m 37 weeks. All tho Auchenbrain bulls were bred on the farm, and the records of the dams were exceptionally high in butter-fat content. The top price here was 4Ooffs. The great event of the day_ at the Nether Craig sale was the auctioning of +he cow, Nether Craig Matilda. There was keen competition for her, but at 400 gs she went_ to Mr R. Marshall. Kilmarnock. Great things are certainly being aocom plishod by the Ayrshire men.