ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews briefly the nature and structure of Scottish agriculture. It emphasises the diversity of Scottish farming and, therefore, the range of Government interest—for at every stage and in every aspect of crop and stock husbandry the Secretary of State, through the Department of Agriculture, has functions to perform. The official recognition of the importance of increasing agricultural production is shown by the fact that in the sale of seeds, the old principle of caveat emptor some time ago ceased to apply. As livestock farming predominates in Scottish agriculture, and as Scottish breeds are well known and have a high export value, it is not surprising that the Department of Agriculture has an even more direct interest in maintaining or improving the quality of livestock than it has in plant breeding. In agriculture there is an unusually close relationship between administration, research, education and practice.
