PEOCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 27 



mium list and regulations, as prepared by the General Show Committee and approved 

 of by the Directors, were submitted to a meeting of members held at Aberdeen on the 

 17tli of December, and again to a meeting of the Board, when premiums were agreed 

 to to the amount of L. 2,440, or L.840 above what was offered at Aberdeen in 1838. 

 That list is now upon the table. The competition for the ijremium of Ij.50, offered by 

 the Society for the best thoroughbred stallion to serve in the district of the Show, 

 will take place in the market stance, King Street, Aberdeen, on Friday the 4th day of 

 February. All entries must be made on or before the morning of the Show, with Mr 

 Alexander Yeats, Secretary of the Royal Northern Society, 89 Union Street, Aberdeen. 

 The only matter of regret I have to l.)ring before you is in reganl to the date of the 

 Show of the Pvoyal Agricultural Society of England, which has this year been fixed to 

 be held at Birmingham from the 19th to the 24th July, both inclusive ; while the 

 Aberdeen Show takes place from the 25tli to the 28th July, both inclusive. The 

 matter Avas carefully considered by the Board on the 5th of January, when it was re- 

 solved to adhere to the date fixed for the Aberdeen Show, believing that any alteration 

 to a later date would not be advisable. I may add that if the Show is held the week 

 following it will clash with the Irish and Yorkshire shows." 



Edinhurgh Slunv, 1877. — " I have finally to report that the Directors some time ago 

 received applications, numerously signed, from members and others in the three 

 Lothians and in'the city of Edinburgh, requesting the Society to hold the Show for 

 1877 at Edinburgh. The Directors have pleasure in recommending for the apiu'oval of 

 this meeting that the Show for that year should'be held in Edinburgh. The classes of 

 stock for which 2:)reniiums will afterwards be offered were named by the General Show 

 Comnuttee. The list was subsequently laid before a meeting of members, and after 

 some emendations received the approval of the Board at its meeting on the 5th of this- 

 month. That list as adjusted I have now to lay before you ; and beg to move that the 

 recommendations of the Directors be adopted, and that it be remitted to them to make 

 the usual arrangements. I may add that the Directors received a circular from the 

 Mayor of Carlisle proposing that the English and our Show should be held together at 

 Carlisle in 1877, but after careful consideration the Directors ^deemed it inexpedient to 

 entertain the proposal." 



The reports were adopted. 



District Competitions. — Mr A. Campbell Swinton gave in the report in regard 

 to district competitions. It stated that the money premiums awarded in 1875 

 amounted to L.452, besides 10 silver, 246 medium, and 182 pIo\igh medals ; and that 

 the premiums to be offered in 1876 consisted of: — Four districts for cattle at L.20, one 

 silver and three medium silver medals each, L.89, 10s. ; three districts for cattle (in- 

 termediate year), one silver and three medium silver medals each, L.7, 2s. 6d. ; six 

 districts foi- stallions at L.25 each, L.150 ; four districts for mares at L.8 and one 

 medium silver medal each, L.34, 2s. ; five districts for colts and fillies at L.19 and four 

 medium silver medals each, L.105, 10s. ; six districts for sheep at L.18, one silver and 

 four medium silver medals each, L.125, 8s. ; six districts for sheep (in intei-mediate 

 year), one silver and four medium silver medals each, L.17, 8s. ; special grants — Edin- 

 burgh Christmas Club (L. 50 and medium gold medal), L.56, 2s. ; Glasgow Agricultural 

 Society, for thoroughbred .stallion, L.50 ; Ayrshire Association, L.20 ; Unst Society^ 

 L.IO ; Westray Society, L.3— L.S9, 2s. ; medium silver medals, sixty districts, L.lOO ; 

 ploughing coiuijetitions, L. 50— making the total amount offered L.818, 2s. 6d. 



In reply to a (luestion by the Hon. Georgk W.\ldegrave Leslie in regard to en- 

 couragement to be given to get the liest breed of Clydesdale horses, 



Mr Campbell Swinton said that the committee would be glad to receive suggestions. 

 in regard to the carrying out of the report. 



Cottage Competitions. — Mr Maxwell Inglis of Loganbank gave in the report in 

 regard to competitions for cottages and gardens. It was as follows: — "Awards in 

 1875. — The money premiums awarded amount to L.16, 10s., besides 16 medium .silver 

 medals and 18 minor silver medals, making the total amount expended L.30, 6s. 

 Premiums to he offered in 1876. — The Directoi-s suggested the following grants for 1876 

 — viz., 7 parishes at L.3 and 4 medals each, L.29, 8s. ; 10 districts at 2 medium silver 

 medals each, L.IO, 10s.; 2 gold medals for improving existing cottages and building 

 new cottages, L.20 — making the total amount offered, L.59, 18s." 



The report was adojited. 



The Transactions oe the Society.— Mr Howatson of Dornel brought forward a 

 motion of which he hail given notice with regard to the issue of the Transactions. 

 He stated that the whole of the members, especially those who had joined the Society 

 since 1866, joined it on the distinct understanding that they would be supplied with 

 tliese Transactions. He moved — " That the recoinmendation of the Directors in their 

 report on the chemical department and agricultural education to the General Meeting 

 in January last, relating to the discontinuance of the^^ree issue of the Transactions 

 to the members, be rescinded, and that the gratis issue to members on application be 

 continued." 



