THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 14

THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL.

EARLY MATURITY A LEADING CONSIDERATION. (From Our Special Correspondent.) The twenty-seventh annual show under the auspices of the Scottish National Fat Stock Club was held on the first two days of December., in the Industrial Hall, Edinburgh. There was a grand assemblage of stock, which formed a splendid objectlesson for all who are engaged in the breeding and feeding of cattle for the butcher. Viewing the judging as a whole, it is evident that the tendency of the time is altogether in favour of early maturity.. This was distinctly seen in connection with the awarding of the championships. It was the early maturity animal which—was at the top in nearly every instance. Moreover, the crosses carried off all the trophies which were open to all the breeds. Strangely enough, the pure breeds were not largely represented, but those forward were of excellent quality. The noted exporting firm of Messrs Alexander and Addie, Newbiggin, Cambus, Clackmannanshire, gained the championship of the Shorthorn section with a .red-and-white 20-month-old .steer by Calrossie Crocus King, a bull bred by Captain John MacGillivray, of Calrossie, Nigg, Ross-shire, out of Golden Wreath 10th, bred at Wester Lovat, Beauly, and got by Collynie Proud Viscount. dis weight was 12cwt 71b. This steer was sent on to Smithfield, where he again came out champion of his section. The reserve was a red steer 2 years 7 months and 2 weeks old, which was first in the senior class. He was shown by Mr William Anderson, Home Farm, Hopewell, Tarland, Aberdeenshire, and he weighed 14cwt 601 b. There was a capital class of heifers, and here, again, youth and finish carried the day. The winner' was a Very pretty 20-month-old ■white, Stevenson Butterfly Belle, shown by Mr Thomas Elder, of Stevenson, Haddington. She scaled lOewt 331 b. The Aberdeen-Angus breed was not largely represented. Only a few steers were forward, and they did not participate in the championship honours. A couple of dandies topped the heifer class, and they were chosen later as champion and reserve champion. Both were from the celebrated herd of Sir John R. Findlay, Bart., of Aberlour. The leader was Petronia of Aberlour, by the champion Boxer of Ballindalloch out of Peusacola, by Ebon of Ballindalloch. On the borderof being three years old, she scaled 13cwt 061 b. On going on to Smithfield ’she was fourth in a strong class. Fully two months younger than the winner, the animal placed second weighed 14cwt 411 b. Galloway cattle made the best show" of any of the pure breeds. The numbers were good, and the quality was first rate. It used to be thought that the Galloway was a slow feeder, but I have long since proved to my own satisfaction that this is not the case. And now, as on many "other occasions, the show decisions confirm this opinion. It was the first prize junior steer which came out champion of the breed. Last year this steei - was first in the “baby beef” class, beating all other breeds, and at the Dumfries Show in summer he was the champion fat bullock. A few days short of being two years old, he sealed 14cwt 51b. He was taken on to Smithfield, where he became champion of the junior steers, beating the representatives of all the other breeds. The crossbred cattle undoubtedly formed the leading feature of the show. The most lively interest was manifested in the contest for the championship of this'section. It lay between the first prize > junior steer and the leader -in the aged steer class, the same animals appearing I for the premier honour. The judges took ’ a, long time to make the final award, but : eventually early maturity weighed with them. Lord Durham’s junior steer was 5 a black named De Reszke, and he was 3 a direct cross between a Shorthorn bull 5 and an Aberdeen-Angus cow. . At 20 3 months and 6 days old he weighed 12cwt ’ 851 b. The senior steer was a black i three-parts Aberdeen-Angus cross, shown 1 by Mr Alexander Reid, Cragganmore House, Ballindalloch. An interesting fact in connection with the carcase competition in Edinburgh is that the championship has now been won on three successive occasions by the Galloway breed. The sheep championship was won by a : pen of three Cheviot wether lambs, the i reserves being a pen of Blackface wethers. The champion pigs were Large Whites ’ and the reserve pen was composed, of ' Cumberland Large White crosses.