cattle, with a smaller number of Longhorns and Longhorn grades or crosses. Latterly, Shorthorns predominated. Consequently we must look for variations in size as a result of crossing with the imported stock. At the same time we must look for several new colours in addition to the original black. Mr. Forbes, the Aberdeenshire farmer referred to, writes thus: "The cattle in Buchan[1] about half a century ago and earlier might be said to have consisted of horned and polled black cattle in about equal proportions. The polled cattle were of two classes, one large and another small. I knew the small kind well. They were rather puny creatures, always thin in flesh, and very badly used. They were pre-eminently the crofter's cow, as they were able to live through the winter on the straw of oats and bere, and water, if necessary. Of the larger portion of the cattle, about one-half were jet black, excepting the udder, which was usually white. They could not stand starvation so well as the small polls, but with better treatment they gave a heavier yield of milk. When creamed, however, their milk was thinner than that from the small cows."[2]
As to the colours of the Forfarshire polled cattle, Youatt writes: "The greater part of them are black, or with a few white spots. The next
- ↑ That is, East Aberdeenshire.
- ↑ "History of Polled Aberdeen or Angus Cattle," p. 72.
