TEANSACTIONS 



OF 



THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL 

 SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND. 



THE FIRST AND FUXDAMEXTAL PRINCIPLE IX 



AGRICULTURE. 



By George Bruce, Pemian Farm, Fraserburgh. 



[Premium — Ten Sovereigns.] 



To explain and solve this problem, I propose first to look at the 

 negative side of the question, under the following headings : — 



I. Artificial Manures used as Auxiliaries, and what effect have 

 they had upon the cultivated area of this country? 



II. Artificial Manures used in large quantities to continuous 

 cropping, and have they upheld the fertility of the soil at a 

 paying cost? 



III. Our Rotation System, and has it fulfilled its mission in 

 upholding the fertility of the soil ? 



IV. To prove the affirmative under the heading " Vegetable 

 Matter." 



I. Artificial Manures used as Auxiliaries, and wliat Effect have 

 they had upon the Cultivated Area of this Country? 



Until about fifty years ago, I believe there were but little 

 artificial manures applied to the soil. Then, the first thing that 

 presents itself is, upon what did the crops in former ages 

 feed ? The Creator of the earth simply told Adam to till the 

 ground. The needful fertility was evidently ready at hand in 

 shape of vegetable matter, and we have every reason to believe 

 that little else had been used as a fertiliser in this country until 

 a recent period. In its natural state, vegetable matter varies 

 exceedingly, both in ([uantity and quality. "What is generally 



A 



