PREFACE. Vll 



worthy contemporary sources. As affording a further 

 means of estimating the changes in the agricultural con- 

 dition of Scotland within the past ninety years, some 

 statistics are printed in the Appendix. 



The preparation of the work has entailed very con- 

 siderable labour ; but it has been cheerfully undertaken, in 

 the belief that the book may be found useful to a circle 

 of readers, that will probably become wider, as there are 

 many evidences that increased attention is being bestowed 

 by the nation on questions relating to agriculture. 



The Author has to thank various gentlemen who 

 kindly aided his inquiries. Very special thanks are due 

 to Mr Fletcher Norton Menzies, the Secretary to the 

 Society, and Mr Thomas Duncan, the Principal Clerk, 

 without whose combined cordial and effective assistance 

 the work could not have appeared in its present form. 

 Care and attention have been bestowed in order to ensure 

 accuracy, all statements of fact, names, and dates relating 

 to the Society having been collated with the original 

 authorities. 



Banff, July 9, 1879. 



