PREMIUMS OFFERED BY THE SOCIETY IN 1866. CONTENTS. GENERAL NOTICE, CONSTITUTION AND MANAGEMENT, ESTABLISHMENT FOR 1866, . COUNCIL ON EDUCATION,. GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR COMPETITORS, CLASS I.-REPORTS. § 1. ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE:— .224 .226 .227 .229 .230 7. Improved varieties of agricultural plants,. .233 8. Comparative productiveness, &c., of Potatoes, .233 12. Vegetable productions of India, China, America, &c., 2. Formation and management of young Plantations,. .236 .236 10. Larch forests, §3. LAND IMPROVEMENTS: 1. General improvement of Estates,. 2. Reclamation of Waste Land by tillage,. 3. Improvement of natural Pasture without tillage, §4. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY: Invention or improvement of Implements of Husbandry,....240 .238 .238 .238 .238 .239 ..239 .239 3. Reaping Machines,. .253 4. Medals in Aid of Premiums given by local Societies,... 253 INSTRUCTIONS FOR SELECTING SAMPLES FOR ANALYSES,..278 ..279 GENERAL NOTICE. THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY was instituted in the year 1784, and established by Royal Charter in 1787. Its operation was at first limited to matters connected with the improvement of the Highlands of Scotland; but the supervision of certain departments, proper to that part of the country, having been subsequently committed to special Boards of Management, several of the earlier objects contemplated by the Society were abandoned, while the progress of agriculture led to the adoption of others of a more general character. The exertions of the Society were thus early extended to the whole of Scotland, and have, for the greater part of a century, been directed to the promotion of the science and practice of agriculture in all its branches. In accordance with this more enlarged sphere of action, the original title of the Society was altered, under a Royal Charter, in 1834, to THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND. The leading purposes of the Institution are set forth in the following pages, where it will be found that Premiums are awarded for Reports on almost every subject connected with the cultivation of the soil; the rearing and feeding of stock; the management of the dairy; the growth of timber; the extension of cottage accommodation; the improvement of agricultural machinery and implements; the application of chemical science; and the dissemination of veterinary information. Among the more important measures which have been effected by the Society are 1. Agricultural Meetings and General Shows of Stock, Implements, &c., held in the principal Towns of Scotland, at which Exhibitors from all parts of the United Kingdom are allowed to compete. 2. A system of District Shows, instituted for the purposes of improving the breeds of Stock most suitable for different parts of the country, and of aiding and directing the efforts of Local Agricultural Associations. 3. The promotion of Agricultural Education, under powers conferred by a Supplementary Royal Charter granted in 1856, and authorising "The COUNCIL of the HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY on EDUCATION" to grant Diplomas to Students of Agriculture (see p. 275). 4. The advancement of the Veterinary Art, by conferring Diplomas on Students who have passed through a prescribed curriculum, and who are found, by public examination, qualified to practise. 5. The appointment of a Chemist, for the purpose of promoting the application of science to agriculture. Investigations on subjects of importance are conducted in the Laboratory, and published in the Transactions. Members can obtain analyses, reports, and advice, on terms below those charged to others (see p. 277). 6. The periodical publication of the Transactions, which comprehend the proceedings in the Laboratory, reports of experiments, and other communications invited and approved by the Society. CONSTITUTION AND MANAGEMENT. The general business of THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY is conducted under the sanction and control of a Royal Charter, which authorises the enactment of Bye-Laws. Business connected with Agricultural Education is conducted under the authority of a Supplementary Royal Charter, also authorising the enactment of Bye-Laws. The Office-Bearers consist of a President, Four Vice-Presidents, Ten Extraordinary, and Thirty Ordinary Directors, a Treasurer, an Honorary and an Acting Secretary, an Auditor, and other Officers. The proceedings of the Directors are reported to General Meetings of the Society, held in January, and in June or July. The Council on Education, under the Supplementary Charter, consists of Sixteen Members-Nine nominated by the Charter, and Seven elected by the Society. The Board of Examiners consists of Eleven Members. Members are elected at the half-yearly General Meetings. The ordinary subscription is £1 3s. 6d. annually, which may be redeemed by one payment, varying, according to the number of previous annual payments, from £12 12s. to £7 1s. TenantFarmers, Secretaries and Treasurers of local Agricultural Associations, resident Agricultural Factors, and Proprietors farming the whole of their own lands whose valuation does not exceed £500, are admitted on a subscription of 10s. annually, or £5 5s. for life. Members of the Society receive the Transactions, and are entitled to apply for District Premiums-to report Ploughing Matches for the Medal-to attend Shows and exhibit Stock free of charge-to consult the Chemist at reduced rates. Orders, payable at the Royal Bank of Scotland, are issued by the Directors, in name of the parties in whose favour Premiums have been awarded. All communications must be addressed to "ALEXANDER MACDUFF, Esq., Secretary of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, 3 George IV. Bridge, Edinburgh.' |