EARLY PREMIUMS. II5 



awards, because a complete record of all premiums voted 

 since that date has been annually published in the Trans- 

 actions. 



At first the premiums were either expressly or impli- 

 citly limited to the Highland breed ; but as the value of 

 maintaining distinct breeds of cattle came to be recognised, 

 the premiums were allocated with reference to particular 

 breeds. They have long been open to Shorthorn, Ayrshire, 

 Galloway, Aberdeen and Angus, as well as the Highland 

 breed. The selection of the breed is left to the local com- 

 mittee. The Society's cattle premiums are granted to each 

 district for three alternate years, on condition that the 

 district shall, in the two intermediate years, continue the 

 com.petitions by offering for the same description of stock 

 a sum not less than one-half of that given by the Society. 

 At the intermediate competitions, a silver medal is placed 

 at the disposal of the committee, to be awarded for the best 

 bull belonging to a proprietor, and of the class for which 

 the district receives premiums ; also, three medium silver 

 medals to be given along with the first prize in the three 

 classes of cattle, provided there are not fewer than two lots 

 exhibited in each class. On these district cattle competi- 

 tions, the amount expended by the Society since 1789 

 exceeds ;^ 12,000. 



Reclamation of Land. 



Premiums were offered in 1791 for improving ground 

 by means of manuring with lime, shell sand, or shell marl ; 

 in 1792 and subsequent years, by means of conducting 

 water over pasture ground so as to eradicate heath ; in 

 1 795) by draining, and manuring with shell sand and sea 

 ware ; in 1 796 and subsequent years, by an improved crop 

 of potatoes ; in 1804 and subsequent years, either by plough 

 or spade, by an improved potato or other green crop. At 

 first the premium.s were confined to certain specified dis- 

 tricts, but have long been open to proprietors and tenants 

 in every part of Scotland, and the mode of improvement is 

 left open. 



The first premium awarded for reclaiming land was at 



H 2 



