PLOUGHING COMPETITIONS. 14$ 



The Sixth Ploughing Match 

 Took place at Longbarns, near Kirkcudbright, on 29th 

 November 1803. Regulations similar to those of the pre- 

 ceding year were adopted. There were nineteen competi- 

 tors. Two of the ploughs were drawn by two Galloway 

 heifers each, and one by two Galloway oxen yoked in the 

 same manner as horses, and the other sixteen ploughs were 

 drawn by two horses each. The premiums were awarded 

 as follows : 



For ploughs drawn by two horses — Peter Melville, servant to Alex. 

 Smith, Kirkchrist, the Society's silver medal and two guineas ; John Brown, 

 with Mr Brown, Longbarns, two guineas ; John Edgar, servant to Mr Haining, 

 Barnbord, one guinea and a half; William Moat, ser\'ant to Mr M'Clacherty, 

 Boreland of Balmaghie, one guinea ; David Hutchison, servant to Mr Martin, 

 Boreland in Borgue, half-a-guinea ; James Adamson, servant to Mr Mitchell, 

 Culvennan, a crown. 



For ploughs with two oxen — James Hamilton, servant to Robert Gordon of 

 Threave Grange, the Society's silver medal and two guineas ; William Graham, 

 servant to Sir Alex. Gordon, one guinea. 



Each unsuccessful candidate received two shillings. 



Premiums to ploughwrights — Samuel Bland, ploughwright at Tongland 

 Bridge, for the best made plough in the Stewartry after the model of Small's 

 on an improved plan, the Society's medal and two guineas ; to the same for 

 the second best made plough, one guinea ; to John Murray for the third best 

 made plough, half-a-guinea. 



The competition was attended by a number of ladies 

 and gentlemen in their carriages ; and the Kirkcudbright 

 Cavalry, being at that time in quarters, were drilled in the 

 adjoining field, and added much liveliness to the scene, as 

 well as assisting in keeping off the crowd. The committee 

 and judges afterwards dined together with the cavalry (to 

 which they all belonged) at the Town Hall in Kirkcudbright, 

 where the King's health, the Highland Society, the Plough, 

 and other appropriate toasts were drank, and the committee 

 had much satisfaction in reporting the great advantage to 

 agriculture derived by the premiums granted by the Society 

 to the district. 



The Seventh and Eighth Ploughing Matches took place 

 at Kilblaan for the south division, and at Little Craigs for 

 the north division of Kintyre, upon the loth and 13th days 

 of April 1804, under the same regulations as in 1803. 



K 



