258 account of the show of the highland and 



Poultry. 



The exhibition of Poultry was excellent in quality, particu- 

 larly the Dorkings, Brahmas, Scotch greys, and game. 



Implements. 



The number of implements exhibited was considerably greater 

 than on any former occasion at Stirling. Special premiums 

 were offered for artificial manure distributors, potato lifters, and 

 turnip lifters. By the regulations the Society was to provide 

 ground near Stirling at a suitable season, and the premiums 

 were not to be awarded without thorough and exhaustive open 

 and competitive trials. The trials accordingly took place on the 

 farm of Hillhead, near Stirling, kindly granted to the Society 

 by Mr Peter Dewar, the tenant. 



The Manure Distributors were tried on 18th October 1881. 

 Four machines came forward for trial. The judges — Messrs. 

 Munro, Pairnington ; Dewar, King's Park ; and M'Laren, 

 Sauchie — tested the machines for three hours, working by hand 

 before they were taken to the field, one manure used being 

 dissolved bones. They were afterwards taken to the field, when 

 1-^ cwt. of the four following manures, namely, dissolved bouv^o, 

 Peruvian guano (riddled), fossil guano phosphates, Kainit salt, 

 were distributed. The judges did not consider that any of the 

 machines were entitled to the first prize (£15), but they recom- 

 mend the directors to award as follows : — 2nd prize (£10), Ben. 

 Eeid & Co., Aberdeen ; 3rd prize (£5), to Shaw & Williamson, 

 130 Pleasance, Edinburgh. 



The Potato Lifters were tried on the 18th and 19th October 

 1881. The judges — Messrs. Mylne, Niddrie Mains; Swinton, 

 Holyn Bank ; and Paterson, Plean — reported that they con- 

 sidered the trial very satisfactory both to judges and exhibitors, 

 and that it was conducted in a thoroughly exhaustive manner. 

 The field was very suitable for the trial, having a variety of 

 soil, with a good crop of potatoes and light and heavy land. 

 Ever}^ facility for conducting the trial was afforded by Mr Dewar, 

 the tenant. Eleven machines appeared on the ground ; the 

 work, on the whole, was satisfactory, but the draught was in the 

 opinion of the judges a great drawback to the whole of the 

 machines, the lightest draught being 4^ cwt. up to 6 cwt. under 

 very favourable circumstances of soil. The judges would draw 

 the attention of the makers of these machines to this objection. 

 The judges recommend to the directors that the prizes should 

 be awarded as follow : — 1st (£15), J. D. Allan & Sons, Culthill, 

 Dunkeld; 2nd (£10), Wm. I)ewai\ Strathmartine, Dundee; 3rd 

 (£5), John Wallace & Sons, Graham Square, Glasgow. 



