PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 11 



Craig, ]\Ioukton Hill, Monkton, AjTsliire ; and Wm. Martin, Dardarroch, Dumfries. 

 For First-ClaHs Certificate — Wm. Brown, "Watten Mains, Caitliness ; Alexander Inglis, 

 Tyningharne, Prestoukirk ; James M'Laggau, Cobblelieugh, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire ; 

 and K. M. Malloch, Balhaldie, Braco, Perthshire. For Second-Class 'iJerti^cate — 

 Andrew Chapman, Breckonbill, Lockerbie ; Jas. Sutherland, Wick ; Wm. R. Tait, 

 Wick ; and Francis Underwood, Sywell Hall, Northampton. He also announced that 

 Professor Wilson awarded, after special examination, the two prizes of £6 and £4 

 given by the Society in books to the Class of Agriculture in the University of Edin- 

 burgh, to (1st) Andrew Chapman, Dumfriesshire; and (2d) R. CoUey Smith, 

 Lanarkshire. 



Tlie report was adopted. 



Forestry Department. — Mr Mylxe further reported that the forestry examinations 

 Avere held on the same day as those under the Agricultural Education Chaiter, when 

 the following candidates passed : — For First-CUxss Certificate — John M. Aitken 

 (Crieff), 24 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh; and Richard Henderson, The Grange, 

 Kirkcudbright. For Second-Class Certijicate — John M'Ewen, Yellow Cottage, Killin. 



The report was adopted. 



Veterinary Examinations. — Mr Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame said — I 

 have to report that the annual examination for the Society's veterinary certificate was 

 held on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of April, and resulted in twelve out of twenty candidates 

 passing. The preliminary examination of younger students Avas held at the same time, 

 when twenty-six entered their names, and twenty-five passed. 1 Avould take this 

 •opportunity of reminding students of the profession that, according to the agreement 

 made with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Society is to. cease holding 

 examinations after April 1881. 



The report was adopted. 



On the motion of Mr Mackenzie of Portmore, a vote of thanks was given to Lord 

 Napier for presiding, and the proceedings terminated. 



GENERAL MEETING AT KELSO, 28th JULY 1880. 



Most Noble the Marquis of Lothian, K.T., President, in the chair. 



The Finances of the Society. — The Hon. George Waldegrave Leslie moved — 

 " That it is not desirable, in the best interests of the purpose for which the Highland 

 and Agricultural Society of Scotland was founded, that so large a sum should be 

 allowed to accumulate in the hands of the Treasurer ; and that the Finance Committee 

 should be requested to devise a scheme in terms of this resolution." He had heard it 

 said tliat he was to be a great spendthrift with the funds of the Society ; but he begged 

 to point out that in his motion there was not one word about expenditure. According 

 to the charter the Society was founded, inter alia, for encouraging agriculture, and it 

 was to continue to exist for that purpose. It was further stated in the charter tliat 

 tlie Society might purchase, or hold for the use of the Society, lands, tenements, or 

 . ai:y estate or interest therein, not exceeding the sum of £2000 of yearly rent in vahie. 

 Well, as far as he couhl make out from tlie accounts, the annual income froiu invest- 

 ments was £2702, and from subscriptions £1500. He was informed — though he did 

 not know how far it was true— that at one time there was in one of the charters a rule 

 by which the Society was never at any time to ])ossess more than £50,000. He found 

 that there were at present invested in bonds, £24,229 ; in debenture stock, £4236 ; in 

 bank stock, £33,231 — makin.c]^ in all a capital sum of £63,246. He could not help 

 thinking, in these days of agricultural and commercial distress, it was time those who 

 guided the aflairs of the Society should show that they could sjtend some of the funds 

 of the Society in a little better manner, and be a little more lavish in their expendi- 

 ture, instead of kecjung nj) the capital. He thought they were already getting a little 

 too defiant of pul)lic opinion as to how the money should be spent, and hints brought 

 before them by some well-wishers of the Society did not always meet that cordial 

 respect which they ought to receive. Among other things jioiiiteil to was the large 

 subscriptions asked for from the counties in whose neighbourhood the show was held ; 

 to the high charges which were made in the yard for fodder ; and he also thought the 

 inii)leinfnt makers juight receive a little more courtesy th;in they sometimes did, 

 because, alter all, in these (hiys they must look to the inii)roveiuent of implements to 

 help them in carrying out a better cultivation of the land. They had still the great 

 mission (iod gave to Adam to rej)lenisli ainl subilue the earth. They had got to 

 reph-nish it with good honest manures, and he did not think tliis Society should be 

 afraid of doing what the Royal Society did — to publish the names of those who sold 

 to the jioor farmer adulterated manures, and jjrosecute those i)arties for imposing 

 ba«l and injurious manures on the jmlilic. 



