Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-11-13

England. II is great error
to suppose the breeding OF these
fine cattle is being neglected. When
nine head of shorthorns at public sale
bring an average ofnearly s., 600 apiece
in England it is time to ask if the breed
ing of these cattle is being adequately
agitated in our own great stock country.
We COPY full report of the sale at
Holker, OF a portion of the Duke OF
Devonshires herd. 1t is taken from
The Field, the standard country gentle
mans paper Of England.
On Wednesday last, Sept. IS, large
company of shorthorn breeders assem-
bled at Holker to witness the dispersal
of choice draft from the justly cele-
brated herd of the Duke of Devonshire.
The day, with the exception of few
passing showers, was bright and cheer
full, and the sale went off most success
fully. If not producing absolutely the
highest average yet administering.
we believe, few pounds less than the
last dispersal at Dunmore-yet, if due
allowance is made for the difference of
demand, influenced as it is by the state
of trade, the results are sufficiently re-
markable. and reflect great credit upon
Mr.. Drewry's management. For 1t
should be remembered that the major
ity of animals at Holker have been
bred there, and this splendid and un-
rivalled herd is the result of judicious
breeding and not Of hard buying-its
principal element beng numerous
collection of the famous Oxford tribe,
of which no less than six females and
three bulls were included in this sale.
With this large draft there remain sew
enteen females, of which the value may
be estimated by the fact that the nine
sold made total Of f14 ,O96.5s., being
an average Of f1566.5s. each. Mr..
Strahord, who conducted the sale, allud-
ed in his brief PREDATORY remarks to the
progressive prices made at previous
sales, adding the hope, which was
heartily endorsed round the ring-and,
as the result proved, more than real
ised, that the present might show as
marked an advance as the others had
done. The first sale was held in 1857,
when the average was only G25. 2s.6d.
In 1864 thirty animals were sold at the
average price of f66.3s. In 1871 there
was great advance, viz, E24O. lbs. 1Od.
for forty-three head; whilst at the last
sale, in 1874, the same number reached
the then remarkable average of
1858. 13s.5d. Now, these figures have
been greatly exceeded, eighteen females
and twelve bulls making a total of
nearly 100000, and averaging
f664. 1s9d. head 1t has been said
that a reaction has set in, and that
short-horns are less valuable than
they We're during more prosperous
times. This is undoubtedly true as re-
CARDS second-rate stl aims; but the COM
pany ut Holker and the spirit manifest.
ed round the sale ring prove that, as
regards the choicer sorts, the demand
is still in advance of the supply.
Although the company was the largest
that had been seen at Holker, ample !
preparations had been made for their
entertainment. In addition to the
usual luncheon in the school room, a
large tent was provided, so that the
whole of the public were enabled to
refresh themselves ut the same time.
The Duke of Devonshire presided in
the school, whilst the Marquis of Hart
ington did the honors in the teat. BY
this excellent plan all was ready for
business at the stated time, and, punct-
ually at two o'clock, Mr.. Strafford was
in his place, and lot in the ring. Be-
fore luncheon the visitors had plenty of
time not only to see the animals in
cluded in the sale, but to visit the re-
served females, who were located in a
field near to the scene; and a very
grand lot of healthy breeding animals
they were. The climate at Holker is
apparently very favorable for the herd
and the management is undoubtedly
judicious. The 9th Duke of Wetherby,
which was purchased as a yearling for
COL Gunter in 1878, for over 1000
guineas, has been in service ever since,
having followed Baron Oxford 4th, and |
has made an undeniable mark; prob
ably more even lot Of grand, big
Youngsters cannot be found. Although |
years old, and very massive in his
fore-quarters, the old bull is still active,
and, with good management, may yet
do good service. He was started at /
50Ogs., and rapidly rose to 705gs., at
which he was bought by Lord Beehive
for Lord Lonsdale. The great at
traction of the sale were the Ok
fords, of which the first to enter the
ling was lot Grand Duchess of |
Oxford 1oth,) an eight.year-old red |
COW 10y 10th Grand Duke. This COW |
calved on the LIST Of June last, and has
only recently been served; the color
Al