CHAPTER XLIV. 



COMMITTEE AND CIRCUIT OF GENERAL SHOWS. 



It is fitting to notice here at the close of the chapters on 

 the General Shows the Committee by whom these shows 

 have been conducted. 



When the Society commenced to hold General Shows, 

 there does not appear to have been a permanent Convener 

 or Chairman of the Committee appointed to manage the 

 shows, Sir John Sinclair, Mr Graham of Redgorton, Mr 

 Swinton of Broadmeadows, Mr Fergusson of Woodhill, 

 Professor Low, and others having acted as Conveners ; 

 while the Marquis of Tweeddale is mentioned as Chairman 

 of the Society's Committee for conducting the show. 



In 1835, a permanent or Standing Committee was 

 formed, and George Macmikin Torrance of Threave was 

 appointed Chairman. He acted till 1844, when William 

 Scot of Craigmuie was named. Mr Scot was succeeded by 

 Donald Home of Langw^ell, who was nominated Chairman 

 in 1847, ^^^ o^ his resignation the following resolution was 

 passed, 7th November 1859: 'The Directors, in accepting 

 Mr Home's resignation, unanimously resolved to record in 

 the minutes of the Society their deep regret for the cause, 

 and their appreciation of the valuable services rendered by 

 Mr Home since his appointment as a Director in 1832, and 

 during the thirteen years in which he has so efficiently 

 discharged the important duties of Chairman of the Stand- 

 ing Committee on General Shows.' 



Mr R. B. Wardlaw Ramsay of Whitehill, who had for 

 some time acted as Deputy Chairman, was named Mr 

 Home's successor in the office of Chairman. He was 

 succeeded in 1862 by Sir Alexander Gibson Maitland of 

 Clifton Hall, Bart., who resigned, on account of his absence 

 from Scotland, the same year. 



