96 FIELD AND FERN. 



The most expert Ledge -cutter can be a medallist^ 

 if the club in his district apply for such a decoration^ 

 rind so can the labourer most expert and efficient in 

 opening, lajdng, and filling drains, and otherwise 

 .executing the works necessary in thorough draining. 

 Tenants of well-kept cottages and gardens are 

 also rewarded by money as v/ell as medals ; and the 

 societies or individuals Avho establish such premiums 

 at their own expense receive a silver-medal acknow- 

 ledgment. The improvement of the greatest number 

 of existing cottages, the erection of the greatest 

 number of improved cottages of not more than j€5 

 rent, inclusive of the garden, by any proprietor, 

 within a certain number of years, and the erection 

 of the most approved farm buildings in reference to 

 the proper accommodation of farm servants, are all 

 acknowledged by gold medals. 



In short, the energies of this venerable octogena- 

 rian Society lia.ve only ripened with its years, till 

 it m^y well be said to hold Scotland in one univer- 

 sal network. Shorthorns, West Highlanders, Polls 

 (Angus, Aberdeen, and Galloway), and Ayrshires are 

 the four pure cattle breeds at the August Show ; 

 and the Galloways have generally separate classes 

 and premiums. Fat stock, either pure or cross, 

 have seven classes to themselves, with :t63 and 

 seven bronze medals. All cows must have had 

 calves previous to the show ; if in-milk the birth. 

 of the calf must have been certified within nine 

 months of the show, and if in-calf, within four 



