150 IIIGIILAXD AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



convener, stated that ' Wednesday, 25111 October 1809, being the anniversary 

 of King George the Third's accession to the Crown of Great Britain, upon 

 which day His Majesty entered upon the fiftieth year of his reign, it was judged 

 a proper commencement of the rejoicings and festivity of that day to have the 

 competition. The competition accordingly took place upon the Haugh of 

 Killiechassie, belonging to Robert Stewart Flemyng, Esq., in presence of Sir 

 Robert Menzies, Baronet, appointed Convener by the Society, several other 

 members thereof, many gentlemen, farmers, and other residenters in the 

 district. Eighteen ploughs, with two horses in each, started. The work was 

 performed greatly to the satisfaction of the numerous spectators, who were all 

 conNanced of the utility and good effects of such competitions, from the great 

 improvement shown by the young men in their manner of executing the work, 

 so far superior to what was formeily the method in this part of the country. 

 After the competition, a numerous company of gentlemen adjourned to the 

 Tay Bridge Inn at Weem, where a sumptuous and elegant dinner was prepared 

 for them. After which, His Majesty's health was drunk with three times three 

 cheers, loud applause, and every demonstration of loyalty. Many more loyal 

 and appropriate toasts suitable to the happy occasion of the meeting also went 

 round, to each of which a tune applicable to the toast was played by an 

 excellent military' band of music, accompanied by the true martial music of the 

 countr)', the Highland bagjiipe. The company separated at a late hour, after 

 passing the day with much harmony, mirth, and pleasure.' 



At Auchtydonald, Pitfour, Aberdeenshire, 21st November 1810 — fifty 

 ploughs started (forty-nine of which drawn by two horses each, and one by two 

 oxen) — 1st premium to Alexander Bonnar, servant to Alex. Bruce, Millhill ; 

 and 2nd to James Walker, servant to Colonel Hutchison of Caimgall. 



At Colleonard, Banfi'shire, 17th December 181 3, in presence of the Earl 

 of Fife and several other members of the Society, 36 ploughs started, 32 of 

 which were drawn by single pairs of horses, and 4 by a pair of oxen each. Six 

 premiums were allotted, which the judges determined as follows : 1st Three 

 guineas and a silver medal to George Taylor,* servant to Mr Wilson, Mill of 

 Alvah ; 2nd two guineas and a silver medal to James Will, servant to Mr 

 Dawson, Baldavie ; 3rd two guineas to David .Stevenson, servant to Mr 

 M'Kay, Montcoffer ; 4th one-and-a-half guinea to James Law, ser\'ant to Mr 

 M'Intosh, Newton; 5th one gviinea to John Strachan, servant to Mr Longmore, 

 Rettie ; 6th one half-guinea to Geo. Paul, servant to Mr Morrison, Auchintoul. 



In 1818, the Society, finding that premiums to plough- 

 men for improvement in ploughing were then very gene- 

 rally given over the country by the resident gentlemen and 

 local agricultural societies, resolved to discontinue them ; 

 but, being desirous of encouraging improvement in this 

 branch of husbandry, the Society, under prescribed regula- 

 tions, resolved to give a silver medal to the ploughman 

 found to be the best at such competitions. The medal is 

 still offered, after having been in operation for sixty years. 



* Mr Taylor's medal is still (1879) treasured by his son, the fanner at 

 Kirktown of Alvah. 



