WOOL AND WOOL STAPLING, ETC. 425 



sell, they will know precisely what it is they are selling.' 

 This article was followed by the offer of the premiums for 

 wool for the whole of Scotland, already noticed. 



Sheep- Shea ring. 



In 1842 the Society, with the view of promoting im- 

 provement in the shearing of sheep, agreed to give a silver 

 medal to the best sheep shearer in each of the districts in 

 which the premiums for sheep were in operation. Local 

 Associations or others, who proposed to claim the medals, 

 required to lodge a guarantee that money should be 

 awarded at each competition to the amount of not less 

 than £2. The following were the first awards : — 



1842. — George Rae, Blanefield, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire ; Alex. Cameron, 

 Glenhurish, Argyllshire ; Donald INI'Kercher, Taymouth, Perthshire. 



1843. — Donald Macpherson, innkeeper, Garrows, Perthshire ; William 

 Templeton, Tassfern, Fort William ; George Laidlaw, Mervinslaw, 

 Roxburghshire ; William Thomson, Shepherd, Shar, Lanarkshire. 



1844. — Donald M 'Intyre, Shepherd, Ledchroisk, Perthshire ; Walter Ruther- 

 ford, Branxholm Braes, Roxburghshire. 



1845. — Robert M 'Galium, Kenmore, Perthshire; John Armstrong, Lang- 

 burnshiels, Roxburghshire. 



1846. — Wm. Dick, Genoch, Ayrshire ; Robert Grieve, Morenish, Perthshire. 



1847.— Thomas Grieve, Morenish, Perthshire ; James Bell, Horsely, Auch- 

 incraw Mains, Berwickshire. 



