PRELIMINARY NOTICE. iii 



pitious, seriously detracting from the collection at the show-yard 

 gates. 



The Directors are bound to acknowledge the liberality with 

 which the Commissioners of Supply of all the Counties connected 

 with the three last Shows, have contributed towards them by 

 voluntary assessment on rental. This public mode of raising the 

 necessary funds, has now entirely superseded the old system of 

 private subscriptions, and obviates many disadvantages which 

 attached to it. Assessment stamps the national and public 

 character of the Society's Shows ; it enables each Contributor to 

 know the exact sum required from him, and by spreading the 

 amount over all according to rental, the individual burden is 

 comparatively light. 



The Society was engaged to hold a Meeting at Glasgow this 

 year, and at Aberdeen in 1867, but the prevalence of the Cattle 

 Plague has rendered it necessary to defer both Shows for one 

 year. 



DISTRICT SHOWS. 



It has been the aim of the Directors to extend the action of 

 this department. It is one peculiar to the Society, distinguish- 

 ing it, in some measure, from the National Societies of England 

 and Ireland. Irrespective of the assistance it confers on local 

 Associations, at times perhaps when their financial position 

 requires such aid, it has gradually, and to a great extent, en- 

 grafted on these bodies the regulations and system of the Society, 

 thus securing a uniformity of object and action over the country, 

 which in itself is of great value. Another beneficial result is to 

 be found in the friendly connexion and correspondence which 

 local Shows necessarily create between the Central Society and 

 the District Associations. During the last year the Society's 

 Premiums, in one or another form, were offered to nearly 250 

 different parts of the country. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



Important alterations, affecting the curriculum of Study and 

 the examination of Candidates for the Society's diploma, were 

 recommended by the Council on Education in the following Re- 

 port, which was adopted by the General Meeting in January, 

 1865. These alterations have since been embodied in Bye Laws 

 which are now in force. (See page 275). 



" REPORT BY COUNCIL ON EDUCATION AND COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS. 



" The Council and Committee have carefully considered how 

 the Society can most effectually promote Agricultural Education, 

 and they now beg to submit the following suggestions for the 

 consideration of the Directors : — 



