1883.] WOODS AND FOBESTS OF PERTHSHIRE. 07 



saw. The twigs are then cut by an averuncator to tlie height of 45 ft. Up to 

 this ])oint the work is comjjaratively easy, but beyond that lieight there is not a 

 little difficulty and danger. ^One of the foresters climbs as near to the top as 

 possible, fastening himself to uTie strongest brancli he can get by means of a belt 

 round his waist, and holding on to another branch by his left hand. With his 

 right hand he wields a light billhook reaching to a height of 75 ft., which is as 

 high ';is can be trimmed with safety, and which is quite high enough, a.s the 

 uppermost branches gradually taper towards the ajicx of the trees. The hedge 

 is, altogether the most wond(;rful thing of the kind in existence. Every tree 

 throughout its entire length is in perfect health, and the height throughout is as 

 uniform as it well could be, the hedge having every appearance of bairg trimmed 

 at the top as well as on the side.' 



Let US iidd that the illustrations (some of which, by the author's 

 courtesy, we reproduce), the arrangement, printin^u;, and binding of 

 this most useful and valuable book (which should be in every library) 

 are all that could be desired. 



'Heath's Ferx Portfolio.' — Messrs. Sampson Low, Marston & Co., are about 

 to publish what ' has never before been attempted,' says the Times, ' namely, a 

 Fern Portfolio, or series of absolute facsimiles, life size, of ferns which, in form 

 colour, and venation, will follow nature. The paits will be issued monthly, and 

 each plate will bear upon it the letterpress description of the plant, including its 

 habitats and distribution.' The plates will be 15 V by 11^ inches, so that a con- 

 siderable portion of moderately-sized specimens even of the largest fern fronds can 

 be represented life-size ; whilst entire figures, natural size, of smaller species, can 

 be given without curtailment and with their general form, outlines, venation 

 and colouring given with absolute fidelity to nature. Though each plate will 

 be named, the series will not be consecutively numbered, so that any sufficient 

 number of plates will make a volume, the completeness of which will not be 

 marred by the omission of particular part^s. 



Mr. R B. Laird, of 17, South Frederick Street, Edinburgh, announces that 

 he has acquired the goodwill and whole business carried on by Mr. John Downie 

 and himself for upwjirds of thirty years under the style of ' Downie and Laird, 

 Nurserymen and Seedsmen, the first named i-etiring from the firm. Mr. Laird 

 has also taken into partnership his son Mr. David P. Laird, and they will con- 

 tinue the business as ' R. B. Laird and Son,' at above address. 



Errata.— In the report of the ])roceedings at the annual meeting of the 

 Scottish Arboricultural Society in our last issue, we are ref^uested to state that 

 the treasurer's statement, at page 43, " Discharge^£i) for prizes "—was only the 

 prizes paid in 5/io/H'y, and does not include medals and prizes in kind, whichappear 

 in the medallist's account. 



In our list of newly-elected members of the Scottish Arboricultural Society 

 last month we gave the name of Sir John Forrest ; this should have been Sir 

 William Forrest, Bart. The name of Colonel Morton, of Morton Hall, Edin- 

 burgh, was also accidentally omitted. 



