CHAPTER V. 



AWARDS AT PLOUGHING COMPETITIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



The Society's operations in the direction of an improved 

 tillage of the soil are of a kind to interest many into whose 

 hand this work is likely to fall ; and we therefore make no 

 apology for entering into considerable detail. 



We find that at the General Meeting of the Society 

 held on 13th January 1801, it was resolved to offer pre- 

 miums to ploughmen ; and, in the first instance, to begin 

 with Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire, or in such parts of these 

 counties as might appear most proper. The premiums were 

 announced in the list for 1801 in the following terms : 'To 

 ploughmen for improvement in ploughing, a sum of ten 

 guineas will be distributed this season in premiums to 

 ploughmen in the district of Carrick in Ayrshire, and the 

 like sum of ten guineas in Annandale in Dumfriesshire — to 

 be competed for at such places and times, and in such 

 manner, as the members of the Society resident there shall 

 find most proper ; these members being appointed as com- 

 mittees for that purpose — Mr Ferguson of Crossbill for 

 Ayrshire, and Mr Jeffrey of Allerbeck for Dumfriesshire, 

 conveners, with instructions to report to the Societ}'.' At 

 the Board Meeting in February 1801, it was resolved that 

 silver medals, with suitable devices and inscriptions, should 

 be given to successful candidates as a part of their pre- 

 miums. 



First Ploughing Match. 



After communicating with many gentlemen and farmers 

 in Annandale, the sub-committee there advertised the match 

 to take place upon the 7th day of November 1 801, on a 

 field on the estate of Hoddam. On the day and place 

 appointed, there assembled the following members of the 



