A Tour throjigh the Woods and Forests of Duff House. 487 



when contrasted with their neighbours, the stately wahiut [Jafilam 

 rcgia). Conspicuous among others stands a noble English elm {Uhnus 

 cam2}csfrls), the dimensions of which are — circumference of bole at 

 1 ft. from the ground 11 ft. ; the same taken at 5 ft. measures 9 ft. 

 6 in. ; length of trunk 10 ft. ; diameter of branches 83 ft. This is a 

 magnificent tree, with its herculean limbs and noble head towering 

 to the height of nearly 60 ft. We regretted to see that a beautiful limb 

 had been broken off during a gale of wind ; and another, from its 

 appearance and wide-spread dimensions, is likely soon to follow ; 

 however, we were informed that a chain is to be put round the 

 limb and fastened to the trunk to prevent its splitting. We nc.\t observe 

 two beautiful specimens of the white poplar {Popidus alba); the circum- 

 ference of one at 5 ft. from the ground is 7 ft. 9 in., with a fine clean 

 trunk about 35 ft. before it Ijranches. Number two is 8 ft. 4 in. girth 

 at 5 ft. up, with a trunk 25 ft. long : both heads are in proportion, 

 beautifully developed and wide-spread. 



The majority of the trees in the Policy grounds are not such grand 

 ornamental specimens as we have seen, but when soil and exposure 

 are taken into account, together wdth their early management, we 

 may consider them fair examples. Here and there are planted nume- 

 rous young hardwoods, which in time will take the place of their 

 older brethren, and by being well protected from the inroads of sheep, 

 seem to be thriving beautifully. Near by is a young plantation of 

 modern date, having been recently taken off the grass parks with 

 the object of still further sheltering the house, and adding to the 

 present extensive policies. We need not here enumerate the count- 

 less walks with their graceful sweeps or curves ; sufficient to say that 

 they all arrive at one termination, viz.. Duff House. 



This splendid mansion was built in the years 1740 — 1745, after a 

 design by the elder Adams, at an expense of £70,000, the style being 

 purely Roman. The whole edifice is indeed rich to excess in archi- 

 tectural decoration, and can only be seen to advantage by being 

 viewed close at hand. We had the pleasure of seeing the rich col- 

 lection of pictures, but space forbids us entering into details. 



Eetracing our steps we observe a fine specimen of the yellow- 

 flowered horse-chestnut (Pa da flava), beautiful indeed. We next 

 come upon a handsome ornamental plane, or sycamore ; the circum- 

 ference of bole at 1 ft. from the ground is 8 ft. 6 in., and at 5 ft. up is 

 7 ft. 6 in., length of the trunk 12 ft. It then forms into a beautiful 

 head, nicely balanced for nearly a height of 45 ft., with lovely 

 spreading branches, the diameter of which is 53 ft. Among recently 

 planted young trees are two specimens of the AUes Bovffla&ii 

 (Douglas spruce), also a handsome plant of Picm A^ov-^v/ia^r/mywa, all 

 protected with wire netting, and in a fine thriving state. We next 



