12 ON THE AGRICULTURE OF 



empowered by the farmers to collect subscriptions, and to call a 

 general meeting of the tenantry so soon as he had collected a 

 sum sufficient to pay adequate premiums to competitors. This 

 scheme proved successful, and the next development of the 

 renewed agricultural enterprise took shape on the 3d day of 

 February 1825, when a meeting was held in Eothesay of persons 

 friendly to the institution of a Farmer's Society. The result of 

 this meeting was that the Society which still exists was founded, 

 having for its object the promotion of agricultural improvement 

 in all its branches, to be attained by the granting of premiums, 

 the formation of a library, and the holding of meetings for dis- 

 cussions on agricultural topics. This Society has done very 

 much towards the furtherance of agriculture. By the premiums 

 offered for dairy cows of pure breeding and good milking qualities 

 it has fostered dairy-farming, till it is now almost in as flourishing 

 a condition as could be desired. By the introduction of good 

 Clydesdale stallions it has enhanced the value of the draught 

 horses, and by its premiums for tlie best fields of turnips, &c., it 

 has greatly increased the profitableness of green-cropping in the 

 island. 



Modern Farming, 



As Lord Bute may be said to have been the principal agent in 

 abolishing the last remnants of primitive farming, and Mr John 

 Blain may be said to have been the forerunner of scientific farm- 

 ing, so the honour of being the inaugurator of the modern era in 

 Bute farming must be awarded to Mr Samuel Girdwood. This 

 gentleman about forty years ago held the offices of steward to Lord 

 Bute and secretary of the Farmers' Society, and was also tenant 

 of the farm of Kerrylamont, in Kingarth. He was a man of more 

 than average intelligence, of great force of character, and possessed 

 of unbounded enthusiasm in the furtherance of a favourite pursuit. 

 His tombstone in Eothesay churchyard tells us, that he was for 

 forty years connected with the estate of the Marquis of Bute; 

 ^'distinguished by fidelity in his trust, ability, skill, and success in 

 the discharge of his duties, and zeal for the public interest." 

 "Under his fostering care the Society progressed wonderfully, and 

 by the introduction of furrow drains and the system of liming, the 

 reclamation of waste lands w^as vigorously prosecuted. Through 

 his instrumentality, a lime-kiln was established at Kilchattan 

 Bay, and the limestone found in the island w^as there burned 

 and utilized, and a premium was offered by Lord Bute for the 

 best heap of composite manure, i.e., of farmyard manure, mixed 

 with such waste as the sweepings of the farmyard, and the 

 '' scouring " of the roadside drains, &c. On the farm of Kerry- 

 lamont he carried on various experiments, the results of which, 

 when successful, were communicated to the farmers. In order 



