ACCOUNT OF THE SHOW HELD AT KELSO IX 1880. 341 



reputation of former shows. He was not going to enter into a dissertation 

 on the merits of the Shorthorns, the Ayrshires, the Leicesters, the Clydes- 

 dales, or any classes of stock, or even of the machinery ; hut they were all 

 of great excellence, and merited the decision which had been come to to 

 have a show at Kelso. For himself, he was very much against the proposal 

 that Kelso should be omitted from the list of places visited by the Society, 

 and he therefore felt all the more gratified that the results had borne out 

 the wisdom of that decision. Having said that much of the show, he had 

 to go back to that unfortunate topic, the weather, which had been so very 

 hard upon recent shows — Kilburn, Carlisle, and now Kelso. He was afraid 

 that the receipts would be diminished in consequence, but there were still 

 two days to go, and it was to he hoped that the loss might yet in some 

 degree be lessened. The Noble Chairman then thanked Sir George Douglas 

 for his great kindness in allowing the show to be held in his park. All who 

 knew Sir George k"new how anxious he was to do anything to promote any 

 good work, and the grant of the j)ark was not the least of the good turns he 

 had done to the Highland Society. The railway companies had also done 

 much to convenience the public visiting the show, though he feared that 

 was in face of a possible loss to themselves. Then, again, the Provost 

 and Magistrates had done all they could to help the show, and he was sure 

 the Society would tender them a hearty vote of thanks. His Lordship pro- 

 ceeded to refer to the meeting of the members held in the showyard in the 

 afternoon, and to the financial prospects of the Society talked of at that 

 meeting. He was glad that a decision was come to that the Finance Com- 

 mittee should lay a statement before members, so as to remove the prevalent 

 erroneous ideas as to the wealth of the Society, Every one who had any- 

 thing to do with committee aftairs knew that it was impossible to rely upon 

 capital unless they were able to defray expenses from the annual income. 

 From what they had heard at the meeting, they would see that during the 

 last two years the amount of the capital at their disposal vras not more than 

 that spoken of in the charter of the Society. When the charter was framed 

 the capital was nothing like what it was now. He trusted that the ex- 

 amination would result in the financial position of the Society being shown 

 to be in a first-class position. As regarded the chemical departments, he 

 could not help thinking that was one of the most important branches of the 

 Society. These shows were for the purpose of encouraging breeders of stock 

 and agriculturists generally, and therefore he desired that the ground from 

 which they obtained their produce should be manured in such a manner 

 as to give the best results. He also believed that the experimental stations 

 of the Society might be extended. As to the confidence in the Directorate, 

 it was stated that there was a widesjiread feeling of dissatisfaction as to the 

 conduct of the Directors. He was decidedly of opinion that the public of 

 Scotland were thoroughly satisfied with the manner in which the Directors 

 of the Society had carried on its business. It was said that in the Directorate 

 the public voice sliouM have more expression, and with this his Lordship 

 had every sympathy ; but he pointed out that in Scotland those who took 

 the greatest interest in the affairs of the vSociety were not able to attend 

 every meeting of the Directors, although they were always willing to give 

 suggestions. The Directors had for some years asked, before the general 

 meeting in Januarv, the names of any gentlemen whom the members 

 wished to be put upon the Directorate, but very few names had 

 been received. It seemed that tliis was scarcely fair on the part of the 

 menibirshij), when the Directors were perfectly willing to admit a little fresh 

 blood to the mauiiging body. An infusion of new blood was necessaiy for 

 the existence of any Society, but he thoii^'ht new lines, before they were 

 carved out, should be carefully considered. His Lordship proceeded to con- 

 gratulate the meeting on the improved i)rospect8 of the season compared 



