Ellon and Deer: prizewinning stock

The Competition for the Premiums given by the Aberdeenshire Agricultural Association, to the Districts of Ellon and Deer, took place upon Monday last the 19th current, when they were adjudged as follows, viz:-

To Mr Davidson, Cairnbrogie, Tarves, for the best Bull, from 2 to 7 years old,  7l. 7s.
To Mr Milne Milne, Mains of Esslemont, Ellon, for the second best do. do.  5l 5s.
To Mr Smith, Upper Mill, Tarves, for the third best do. do.  3l 3s.
To Mr Davidson, Cairnbrogie, Tarves, for the best Cow,  5l. 5s.
To Mr Marr, Cairnbrogie, Tarves, for the second best do. 4l. 4s.
To Mr Marr, for the third best do.  3l. 3s.
To Mr Ferguson of Pitfour, M.P. for the best 2 year-old Quey,  4l. 4s.
To Mr Davidson of Cairnbrogie, Tarves, for the second best do.  3l 3s.
To Mr Davidson do. for the third best do.  2l 2s.
To Mr Hay, Shethin, Tarves, for the best brood Mare,  7l 7s.
To Mr Hay, Craigie, Tarves, for the second best do.  5l 5s.
To Mr Garland, Ardlethen, Ellon, for the third best do.  3l. 3s.
To Mr Garland, Ardlethen, Ellon, for the best 3 year-old Filly,  5l. 5s.
The Premium for the second best Filly, not awarded.
To Mr Mackie, Old-town of Coynock, Old Deer, for the best 2 year-old Filly,  4l. 4s.
To Mr Davidson, Cairnbrogie, for the second best do. do.  2l. 2s.
To Mr Ferguson of Pitfour, M.P. for the best 3 year-old Colt,  4l. 4s.
To Mr Scott, Yokieshill, Longside, for the second best do.  2l. 2s.

The Shew of Stock, and in particular the Cows and Queys, was uncommonly fine; and the Judges mentioned, that they had much pleasure in acknowledging the extreme difficulty they had felt, in ascertaining their comparative merits, where all the animals were of a superior description, and the shades of difference in many cases so slight.  Among the different prizes, one animal, viz. the first Quey, reared by Mr Ferguson of Pitfour, attracted universal attention - she is of the pure Aberdeenshire horned breed, and for size, symmetry, and condition, cannot be easily matched.

After the business of the day was over, a large party sat down to a comfortable dinner, provided by Mr Cowie, Ellon, - Lord Saltoun in the Chair, and Mr Gordon of Hallhead, Croupier; and, as might have been expected, the evening was spent with the greatest hilarity.  Several new Members were enrolled in the course of the day.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 21st July 1819.

Deer Ploughing Match

The Ploughing Match by the Farmer Society of Deer, was held at Yokieshill, December 24th.  Nineteen Ploughs started, of which eighteen were drawn by pairs of horses, and the other by a pair of oxen.  The work being finished, the Judges proceeded to determine the Premiums; and adjudged the 1st to James Coynach, servant to Robert Scott, Yokieshill; the 2d to William Jaffery, servant to Alexander Bruce, Millhill of Kinmundy; and 3d to Wm. Law, servant to James Rickart, Knock, the 4th to Geo. Loggan, servant to the above Alexander Bruce; and the 5th to James May, servant to John Mackie, Coynach.

JAMES FERGUSON, Esq. of Pitfour, one of the members of the society attended, while the work was performing, and with his usual generosity, made a present of Two Guineas to the Ploughmen, which was equally divided among the unsuccessful candidates.  The judges, and all present, were highly gratified to see the work done in so superior a style, being on the whole the best they had seen on any similar occasion; which shews the effect of frequent ploughing matches.

Published in the Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 6th January 1813.