ACCOUNT OF THE SHOW HELD AT INVERNESS IN 1883. 249 



The sales in the yard were very satisfactory, and it was con- 

 sidered that all the exhibitors were well remunerated for the 

 expense and trouble they incurred in going so far north. Some 

 exhibitors, from a selfish point of view, maintain that Inverness 

 is too far north, and that it should be dropped out of the rota- 

 tion of the Shows, but it would be a sad mistake to deprive the 

 agriculturists in that district of the opportunity of seeing all the 

 most approved implements of agriculture, more especially as the 

 Society was first established for the benefit of the Highlands. 



HirjlilaMcl Industries and Fisheries. 



The only entry in this department, which the Society saw fit 

 to re-establish last year, was a guard rail for fishing boats 

 and other vessels, patented and exhibited by Mr John Gunn, 

 The Hermitage, Golspie. This invention is intended to prevent 

 the great loss of life caused by men falling or being washed from 

 the decks of fishing boats, the gunwales being so low that with- 

 out guard-rails they afford little or no protection to the fisher- 

 men. This rail, whilst affording ample protection, is at the same 

 time of such a character that it can be raised or lowered at 

 pleasure, in suitable sections, with ease and rapidity. The 

 Directors were so highly pleased with the invention that, in 

 addition to the premium of £8, they awarded Mr Gunn a medium 

 gold medal. 



Bee Hushandry. 



The Caledonian Apiarian Society held their annual show in 

 the bee tent, erected for their use, in the Showyard. Owing to 

 the very unequal season, the honey display was the worst that 

 has been since their opening exhibition in Edinburgh in 1877 ; 

 but at no Show, either in England or Scotland, has there been so 

 much interest taken by the general public in driving and 

 manipulating operations carried on in the covered tent, and there 

 cannot be a doubt that these exhibitions are a step in the right 

 direction, as it educates a class, such as shepherds and agricul- 

 tural labourers, &c., who can (if they only obtain the knowledge 

 how to do it) supply the market, not only of Scotland, but also 

 of England, with the finest of all sweets, namely, heather honey, 

 and thus keep the trade at home. Mr Bennett, the Secretary, 

 has long hi'ld the opinion and advocated the cause of home- 

 collected honey. He boldly affirms that £.~)0,<)00 per annum 

 could be collected from our heather hills, if Bee farmers would 

 only give half their attention to their stocks that they do to any 

 other i)ortion of their farm work. They might calculate on 100 

 per cent, at least, on capital expended, over a period of five years. 

 Sir Bennett, Honorary Secretary, 50 Gordon Street, Glasgow, 

 will be happy to give any infornrition and enrol members. 



