ACCOUNT OF THE SHOW HKLD AT PERTH IN 1879. 263 



ACCOUNT OF THE SHOW OF THK HK HI LAND AND AGRI- 

 CULTURAL SOCIETY HELD AT TEKTH IN 1879. 



The Fifty-Second Show of the Society took place at Pertli 

 nil the 29th, oUth, and 31st July and 1st August, under the 

 I'lersidency of the Mai(|uis of Lothian, K.T. The Sot;iety had 

 previously met at Perth on five occasions, namely in 1829 (the 

 tirst year in which the Society extended the circuit of its annual 

 shows bevond Edinburgh and Glasgow), 183G, 1852, 1861, and 

 1871. 



The two first shows at Perth were held within the grounds of 

 the depot — a l)uilding erected by Government for the confine- 

 ment of French ])fisoners, of whom it is said not fewer than 

 eight thousand were accommodated in it. The three succeeding 

 shows, as well as the one now to be noticed, were held on the 

 South Inch — the site of the citadel built by Cromwell in 1652, 

 and demolished after the restoration. 



On the occasion of the last show the accommodation was 

 ample and convenient for stock and implements as Mell as for 

 spectators. The site, which is in close proximity to the railway 

 station, occupied 33 acres, and is one of the most picturesque 

 to 1)0 found in Scotland. It is surrounded by stately rows of 

 chestnuts, elms, and ashes, with the Tay fiowing past on one 

 side, and commands views of that scenery for which the ^dcinity 

 of Perth is so justly famed. 



The arrangements ;of the show were under the immediate 

 superintendence of the Secretary, and were carried out in a 

 manner perfectly satisfactory by the General Committee, who, 

 with much zeal and intelligence, discharged the duties connected 

 with the different departments of the meeting. The Society, 

 tliroughout the whole proceedings, had the highest reason to be 

 gratified with the kindly feelings evinced by all classes. To the 

 Lord Provost and jNIagistrates of Perth the Society was in a 

 special degree indebted for the use of the South Inch, and the 

 cordiality with which they afforded their assistance in all the 

 arrangements connected with the sliow. 



The business of the meeting began on Tuesday, the 29th July, 

 at half-past ten a.m., when a meeting of the General Committee 

 and Judges was held in the Committee Poom, Sir Alexander 

 Muir Mackenzie of Delvine, Part., Chairman of the Local Com- 

 mittee, presiding. The stock havmg been placed in their respec- 

 tive stalls by ten, the judges entered the rings and commenced 

 their duties at eleven, at whicli hour tlie gates were opened. In 

 admitting the public, the same course was followed as had been 

 adopted at all previous occasions. 



The exhibition itself, if taken as a whole, was equal to any- 

 thing the Society has yet had, and, Avhen compared with those at 



