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GENERAL NOTICE. 



The Highland Society was instituted iu the year 1784, and incorporated b)' 

 Koyal Charter in 1787. Its operation was at first 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 progress cf 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 Royal 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 will be found that Premiums are offered 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 apfdication of chemical science ; and the dissemination of veterinary 

 information. 



Among the more important measures which have been eff'ected by the Society 

 are — 



1. Agricultural Meetings and General Shows of Stock, Implements, &c., held 

 in the ])rincipal towns of Scotland, at which exhibitors from all 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 diiftrent 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 

 supj)lementary Royal Charter, gi'anted in 1856, and authorising "The Council 

 of the Highland and Agiiicultukal Society on Education" to grant 

 Diidomas to Students of Agriculture ; and by the establishment of Bursaries. 



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

 application of science to agriculture, and the appointment of a chemist to super- 

 intend all experiments conducted at these Stations, and ]>repare a Report of the 

 same to be |)ubli.shed in the Transactions. Also to subsidise, under certain con- 

 ditions. Local Analytical Associations. 



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

 Students who liave passed through a prescribed curriculum, and who are found, 

 by ]iublic examiiiatinii, f|ua]ilicd to ]iractise. Now terminated in accordance 

 with urrungeineuts with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. 



6. The appointment of a Board of Examiners, and tlie granting of Fii"st and 

 Second Class Certificates iu Forestry. 



7. The annual publication of the Transactions, which compreliend the Prize- 

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

 and General Meetings, and utlier communications. 



8. Tlie management of a fund left by Jolm, nth Duke of Argyll (the original 

 President of tlie Society) to assist young natives of the Highlands who cuter 

 Her Majesty's Navy. 



