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GENERAL NOTICE. 



The Highland Society was instituted in the year 1784, and established 

 by Eoyal Charter in 1787. Its operation was at f.rst limited to matters 

 connected with the improvement of the Highlands of Scotland; but the 

 •supervision of certain departments, proper to that part of the country, having 

 been subsequently committed to special Boards of management, several of the 

 earlier objects contemplated by the Society were abandoned, while the pro- 

 .^■ress of agriculture led to the adoption of others of a more general character. 

 The exertions of the Society were thus early extended to the whole of Scotland, 

 and have, for the greater part of a century, been directed to the promotion 

 of the science and practice of agriculture in all its branches. 



In accordance with this more enlarged sphere of action, the original title 

 of the Society was altered, under a Eoyal Charter, in 1834, to The Highland 

 AND Agricultural Society of Scotland. 



The leading purposes of the institution are set forth in the following pages, 

 where it wiU be found that Premiums are oflfered for Reports on almost every 

 subject connected with the cultivation of the soil, the rearing and feeding of 

 stock ; the management of the dairy ; the improvement of agricultural 

 machinery and implements ; the growth of timber ; the extension of cottage 

 accommodation ; the application of chemical science ; and the dissemination of 

 veterinary information. 



Among the more important measures which have been effected by the 

 Society are — 



1. Agricultural Meetings and General Shows of Stock, Implements, etc., 

 held in the principal towns of Scotland, at which exhibitors from aU parts of 

 the United Kingdom are allowed to compete. 



2. A system of District Shows instituted for the purpose of improving the 

 breeds of Stock most suitable for different parts of the country, and of aiding 

 and directing the efforts of Local Agricultural Associations. 



3. The encouragement of Agricultural Education, under powers conferred 

 by a supplementary Royal Charter, granted in 185G, and authorising " The 

 Council of the Highland and Agricultural Society on Education" 

 to grant Diplomas to Students of Agriculture ; and by the establishment of 

 Bursaries. 



4. The establishment of Agricultural Stations for the purpose of promoting 

 the application of science to agriculture, and the appointment of a Chemist 

 to superintend all experiments conducted at these Stations, and prepare a 

 Report of the same to be published in the Transactions. 



5. The advancement of the Veterinary Art, by conferring Certificates on 

 Students who have passed tlirough a prescribed curriculum, and who arc 

 found, by puldic examination, qualified to practise. 



0. The appointment of a Board of Examiners, and the granting of First 

 and Second ('lass Certificates in Forestry. 



7. The annual publication of tlie Transactions, which ctimprehend the 

 Prize-Reports, and reports of experiments, also an abstract of the business at 

 Board and General Meeting's, an<l other communications. 



8. The management of a fund left by John, 5th Duke of Argyll (the 

 original President of the Society), to assist young natives of the Highlands 

 who enter Her Majesty's Navy. 



