126 HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of improving pasture ground in the Highlands, by watering.' 

 Dr Smith not onl}' obtained the highest premium, but the 

 report was printed under the patronage and at the expense 

 of tiie Society. The subject was so pecuharly appHcable 

 to the Highlands that the Society, on the suggestion of a 

 public-spirited member, particularly attentive to, and con- 

 versant in. agricultural researches — Sir Alexander Ramsay 

 — resolved to bring down from one of the counties in 

 England, where the practice had been long known, and ex- 

 tensively carried on, a person qualified to teach and to 

 direct the method of watering grounds in the best manner, 

 and with the greatest effect. Accordingly, in June 1795, 

 Mr Charles Stephens, who is designed ' The Flooder,' who 

 had been much and successfully employed in this practice 

 in Gloucestershire, was brought down to Edinburgh, at the 

 expense of the Society ; and after the Committee had satis- 

 fied themselves of his knowledge and experience, the public 

 were informed of his arrival, by advertisement, and ar- 

 rangements were made with different proprietors, in various 

 parts of the country, members of the Society, for having 

 his direction and assistance in watering such parts of their 

 estates as were susceptible of that improvement. Mr 

 Stephens proceeded, during that and the next season, 

 through different parts of the North of Scotland ; when, 

 in general, the Society received very strong testimonies, 

 from noblemen and gentlemen employing him, of his skill 

 and success. 



Elkington s System of Draijimg. 



The Board of Agriculture procured for Mr Elkington 

 a reward of ^1000 on his publishing the method which he 

 practised in draining wet or boggy land. The Board also 

 conditioned for Mr Elkington's communicating his system 

 to such pupils as it should select and send to be instructed 

 by him. The Highland Society, at the General Meeting, 

 13th January 1796, agreed to be at the expense of sending 

 up a young man (Mr James Johnston, land surveyor, 

 Edinburgh), to attend Mr Elkington, and to learn from 

 him his method of draining. Mr Johnston went, accord- 



