KEPORT OF THE AGRICULTURE OF AYRSHIRE. 73 



during the last 25 years, but more or less for many years pre- 

 vious. Every one of the 46 parishes having its local " society," 

 besides "estate clubs," and the whole attention of the members 

 of each of which seeming to centre in their annual show of 

 dairy cattle. They have annual " ploughing-matches " as well 

 no doubt, and also competitions on a small scale for dairy pro- 

 duce, grain, &c, and that such should be is quite correct and 

 proper, remarking, en passant, that Ayrshire ploughmen as 

 skilled workmen, are famed over the kingdom ; but it may be 

 hinted, that, if the members at their meetings would devote 

 more time to the discussion of agricultural improvements, and 

 comparing notes on farming matters generally, — talking less 

 about the special make of such a bull's horns, or the flowing 

 outline of such another cow's tail, — one principal object in view 

 of these " clubs " when started would be nigher attainment. As 

 Lord Palmerston remarked lately, "Agriculture, like every other 

 industry, is promoted by the interchange of ideas, by the mutual 

 intercommunication of knowledge by one man telling others 

 what he has done, how he has succeeded and how he has 

 failed." The "Kilmarnock Farmers" is the oldest of these local 

 clubs in the county, established in 1786, and presently is in a 

 most flourishing condition, owing chiefly to the recent " revival" 

 amongst the cheese makers. The next two, most venerable and 

 important, are the " Carrick Farmers'" of May bole and the 

 " Ardrossan Society," both more than 50 years old. After these 

 come the " Girvan District Society," the " Cumnock Farmers,"' 

 the " Beith Farmers," &c, &c. At a late meeting of the " Ardros- 

 san Society," Captain Moffat offered a £5 prize for the best 

 essay on the 'Management of High Clay Soils," which has been 

 gained by Mr. Allan, of Munnoch. That is right. Rump soup 

 in moderation is very good, but continual discussion of cow's 

 tails, or such like, is simply nauseous. The " Symington 

 Society's " custom of giving prizes for the " best and cleanest 

 pastures " is good, and ought to be more generally adopted. 

 Due credit must be given to the parent society of Britain, the 

 " Highland and Agricultural.," for the kind and motherly aid 

 afforded to her numerous offspring throughout the country, in 

 medals, &c, and which indeed has been a great means of keeping 

 many of our Ayrshire local clubs afloat. 



The County " Association" again brings together and con- 

 trasts many of the crack animals out of the several parishes at 

 its great annual show in April at Ayr, where much higher prizes 

 are offered. The Ayrshire, among the local associations of Scot- 

 land, takes a high rank. Were there fewer small local clubs it 

 would be still more potent, but probably as much good is 

 effected by the neighbourly emulation amongst the members of 

 the paiish clubs as they are. The Ayr County Show of the 



