466 HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in Scotland, and there is not perhaps a county in Scotland 

 that has not benefited in some degree by the offer of these 

 premiums. At first, the fund from which the money pre- 

 miums were paid was not all advanced by the Society, but 

 a guarantee had at one time to be given from each parish 

 to the extent of one-half, as a proof of the interest which 

 the gentlemen connected with the parish took in the matter. 

 In 1867, to encourage still further the competitions, the 

 Society undertook to defray the whole premiums, both 

 medals and money. 



In connection with this branch of the list of premiums, 

 the Society has from time to time offered rewards for (1) 

 Promoting dexterity in the use of the spade ; (2) Improving 

 the cultivation of small possessions by the introduction of 

 green crops ; (3) Promoting attention to the cultivation and 

 management of bees ; (4) The most effectual and econo- 

 mical mode of heating cottages. Besides these, the Society 

 in 1840 offered a premium of £10 for the best and most 

 approved cottage window ; a figure and description of the 

 window for which the prize was awarded was published in 

 the Transactions (vol. vii., second series), along with an 

 interesting report by a committee of the Society appointed 

 to consider the means of improving the lodging of the 

 peasantry. 



According to the system which is at present in opera- 

 tion, premiums for the cleanest and neatest kept cottages 

 and gardens are given to the amount of ^3 and four silver 

 medals in each parish, and continued for five consecutive 

 years. The Society also gives, for the same period, two 

 silver medals to local Associations or individuals, who, at 

 their own expense, establish premiums for cottages or 

 gardens. The premiums continue to be productive of great 

 improvement in the habits and comfort of the peasantry in 

 the districts where they are in operation. 



Gold medals have since 1839 been offered to proprie- 

 tors for erecting new, and since 1844 for improving existing, 

 cottages ; and since 1847 similar premiums for erecting 

 farm buildings in reference to the proper accommodation 

 of farm servants. 



