GENERAL NOTICE. 



The Highland Society was instituted in the year 1784, and 

 established 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 depart- 

 ments, proper to that part of the country, having been subse- 

 quently committed to special Boards of Management, several of 

 the earlier objects contemplated by the Society were abandoned, 

 while the progress 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 Agkicultukal Society of 

 Scotland. 



The leading purposes of the Institution are set forth in the 

 following pages, where it will be found that Premiums are 

 awarded 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, Imple- 

 ments, &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 aiding and directing the efforts of Local 

 Agricultural Associations. 



3. The promotion of Agricultural Education, under powers 

 conferred by a supplementary Royal Charter granted in 1856, 

 and authorising " The Council of the Highland and Ageicul- 

 tural Society on Education" to grant Diplomas to Students of 

 Agriculture (see p. 61). 



