1885.] EXGUSIl ARBOniCULTCRAL SOCIETY. 413 



ENGLISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



KXCURSION TO KOTHBURY. 



OX tlie occasion of their Second Annual Excursion, which took 

 place on Friday the 2nd ult., the members of this young 

 and vigorous Society, favoured with pleasant weather, visited Crag- 

 side, liothbury, the princely residence of Sir William Armstrong. 

 They left Hexham by an early train and breakfasted at the Douglas 

 Hotel, Newcastle, where they were joined by the members of the 

 Newcastle and Carlisle districts. Breakfast over, the company 

 proceeded by the 8.20 a.m. train to their destination, via Morpeth, 

 where their number was again increased by the accession of a few 

 of the northern members of the Society. Arriving at I'othbury at 

 10.30 after a pleasant journey through varied rural scenery, the 

 excursionists made tracks for Cragside, where, through the courtesy 

 of Sir William Armstrong, they were granted admission into his 

 extensive domains. Before reaching Cragside, they were met by 

 Sir William's land-steward and manager, Mr. W. Bertram, by whom 

 they were conducted over the grounds. The first object of interest 

 was the American garden, through the whole of which the company 

 were allowed to pass. Some time was here spent in examining one 

 of the finest collections of conifers it has ever been our privilege to 

 see. It included Edinospora iilumosa aurca, 8 feet high and 20 

 feet round, in grand colour and perfectly symmetrical shape ; 

 Edinospora iilumosa, 8 feet high ; Edinospora squarjvsa, 9 feet 

 high. Here and there amongst the conifers were conspicuous spikes 

 of Hyacinthus canclicans, which enhanced the beauty of the groups, 

 Kalrnia latifolia, with beautiful green foliage, was planted at edges 

 of groups. Juniperus chincnsis aurca Youngii, 3 feet, is a most dis- 

 tinct golden variety of recent introduction. Thiijopsis dolohrata, in 

 two distinct forms, attracted much attention, and were pointed out 

 by Mr. Bertram as being planted for the same variety some years 

 ago. A very fine specimen of Cryptomeria clegans, 9 feet high, and 

 of graceful shape, stands at outside of glass shades, proving the 

 hardiness of this conifer, which a few years ago was destined to be 

 for glass culture only. In Japan the Gryptomerias are called 

 timber trees. Alongside the specimens mentioned, and under covered 

 walls, are many choice creepers, comprising Aristolochia siplio and 

 Ccanothus azurca in full bloom, the latter being a distinct variety 

 having beautiful pale-blue trusses of flowers. 



In another section of the garden we observed noble specimens of 



