PREFACE. 



The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, which 

 has now existed for nearly a centur)', having been from 

 a very early period national in its aims and operations, 

 it seemed that a histor>' of its proceedings might be 

 so presented as to illustrate the progress of agricultural 

 improvement in the country. A narrative of this nature 

 would at least possess the quality of authenticity. The 

 Society's proceedings have been recorded with great care ; 

 and for the perfect freedom of access afforded to its 

 archives, the author has to express his most cordial 

 acknowledgments to the Directors. 



The Society mainly sought to effect its purposes by 

 the bestowal of premiums in competition ; and in those 

 offered, and in the awards made, there is evidence at once 

 of the wants and the capabilities of the country at successive 

 periods, as well as a record of those whose individual efforts 

 were contributing towards the general advance. While 

 account has been taken of the improvements in tillage and 

 the crops of the farm, special attention has, in the following 

 pages, been bestowed on the illustration of the changes 

 occurring in the character of the live stock, a course 

 recommended alike by the nature of the subject, and the 

 great importance now so justly attached to this department 

 of rural economy. There will be found notices of the 

 gradual spread over Scotland of the Shorthorn cattle, and 



