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GENEKAL NOTICE. 



The Highland Society was instituted in the year 1784, and incorporated 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 depart- 

 ments, 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 offered 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 improvement of agricultural machinery 

 and implements ; the growth of timber ; the extension of cottage accommoda- 

 tion ; the ai^plication 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 purpose of improving the breeds 

 of Stock most suitable for different parts of the country, and of aiding and direct- 

 ing the efforts of Local Agricultural Associations. 



3. The encouragement of Agricultural Education, under powers conferred by a 

 supplementary Roj^al Charter, granted in 1856, and authorising "The Council 

 of the Highland and Agricultural Society on Education" to grant Diplomas 

 to Students of Agriculture ; and by the establishment of Bursaries. 



4. The establishment of Agricultural Stations for the purpose of promoting the 

 application of science to agriculture, and the appointment of a chemist to super- 

 intend all experiments conducted at these Stations, and prepare a Report of the 

 same to be published in the Transactions. 



5. The advancement of the Veterinary Art, by conferring Certificates on Students 

 who have passed through a prescribed curriculum, and who are found, by public 

 examination, qualified to practise. 



6. The appointment of a Board of Examiners, and the granting of First and 

 Second Class Certificates in forestry. 



7. The annual publication of the Transactions, which comprehend the Prize- 

 Reports, and reports of experiments, also an abstract of the business at Board and 

 General Meetings, and other communications. 



8. The management of a fund left by .John, 5th Duke of Argyll (the original 

 President of the Society), to assist young natives of the Highlands who enter Her 

 Majesty's Navy. 



