BUTE AND ARRAX. 1 1 



and intelligent application of scientific principles, so far as then 

 known, to the cultivation of the soil, excited the interest of their 

 neighbours, and a generous spirit of rivalry was engendered, which 

 tended to brinc^ about a remarkable chano-e for the better in the 

 condition both of the farmers and of the land. As this fact seems 

 to have been overlooked in all former agricultural accounts of 

 the island, no apology is necessary for here inserting the names 

 of several of the gentlemen who were the princij)al agents in 

 effecting this change. They included Mr James Jamieson, who 

 became tenant of Ambrismore ; Mr Charles Stewart, afterwards 

 of Ardroscadale ; Mr John Duncan, the tenant of Meikle Kil- 

 chattan ; Mr George MThee, ISTorth Inchmarnock ; and Mr A. 

 M'Intvre, Dunalunt. 



The next most important event in the early part of this century, 

 and one which has exercised an immense influence in improving 

 the agriculture of Bute, w^as the institution of the Bute Farmers' 

 Society. The idea of such an association was first mooted at a 

 meeting of the inhabitants of the island, held in the early part 

 of the year 1806, over which Mr John Blain presided, and at 

 which he delivered an address on the state of agriculture, which 

 is given in extenso at pages 274-283 of the history referred to, — an 

 address remarkable alike for its breadth of view, its fearless de- 

 nunciation of abuses, and its judicious recommendation of reforms. 



The first object contemplated by the promoters of this institu- 

 tion was discussion on agricultural tojjics, but in 1807, at their 

 March meeting, we find them making arrangements for holding a 

 ploughing-match, and settling the amount of premium to be 

 offered respectively for the best stallion and the best bull for 

 breeding purposes. At the first ploughing-match ever held in 

 the island, that in March 1806, premiums were offered by the 

 Marquis of Bute, and twenty-six two-horse ploughs competed, 

 each being provided with a driver in addition to the ploughman 

 proper, but at the match held under the auspices of the Society 

 a year later, drivers were dispensed with, and thirty-four ploughs 

 appeared on the ground. 



These ploughing-matches were in course of time discontinued, 

 it being considered that the object they had in view had been 

 attained, but premiums continued to be offered for the best flelcJs 

 of turnips, the most successful crops of artificial grasses, improve- 

 ments in the l)reed of cattle, the best kept hedges, and the best 

 regulated farms. 



At what time this buddinjx societv, which was technicallv known 

 as the Bute Agricultural Society, ceased to exist, it is ditticidt to 

 determine; its last published minute is dated the IGth ^larcli 

 1807, but that it had been defunct for some time prior to 1820 is 

 clear from the fact that in 1821, a\Ir Samuel Girdwood, tlien in 

 Kerrylamont, proposed tn revive the ploughing-match, and was 



