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GENERAL NOTICE. 



The Highland Society was instituted in the year 1784, and establisliecl 

 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 contempUited by the Society were abandoned, while the ijro- 

 gress 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 

 accommodation; 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 aidini,' 

 and directing the efforts of Local Agricultural Associations. 



3. The encouragement 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 ; and by the establishment of 

 Bursaries. 



4. The establishment of Agricultural Stations. 



5. The appointment of a Chemist for the purpose of promoting the appli- 

 cation of science to agriculture, arranging experiments to be conducted at the 

 Society's Agricultural Stations, and preparing a Report of the same to be 

 published in the Transactions. 



6. 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, qualifiecl to practise. 



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

 and Second Class Certificates in Forestry. 



8. 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. 



