VI PREFACE. 



the relative positions in successive years of the distinctive 

 Scotch breeds. The reader curious in such matters will 

 find an interest in tracing the decline and extinction of 

 such breeds as the Fifeshire and Aberdeenshire Horned ; 

 and in the advance and definite development of the Ayr- 

 shire and the two Polled races. Information of kindred 

 nature is supplied with respect to sheep and horses. Dairy 

 husbandry is also illustrated to a considerable extent. 



The Society has not confined its attention to affairs 

 purely agricultural. That a scheme or proposal was likely 

 to benefit Scotland in general, and the Highlands in parti- 

 cular, was in its earlier years recommendation sufficient to 

 ensure the Society's support. Efforts in various inde- 

 pendent directions, from Gaelic dictionaries and the poetry 

 of the Highlands, to the patronage and promotion of 

 piping competitions, are duly described. 



It seemed fitting to prefix to the History of the 

 Highland and Agricultural Society some notice of the pro- 

 ceedings of two earlier Associations for the promotion of 

 Scottish agriculture, which aspired to a national character. 

 The account of the Society of Improvers is of course based 

 on the work of Mr Maxwell of Arkland, published in 1743. 

 The narrative of the proceedings of the Edinburgh Society 

 is drawn up entirely from fragmentary references scattered 

 through the Scottish newspapers of the period. 



It appeared to be equally desirable to furnish a sketch 

 of the agricultural condition of Scotland about the time 

 the Highland Society began its active operations, as a 

 review of that nature offered a means of measuring the 

 advance made in the interval. In Chapter II., there will 

 be found an outline of this character, drawn from trust- 



