Important Sale of Trees and SJirnbs. 539 



On dry sandy soils, where larch and spruce are frequently affected 

 with dry rot, silver fir will grow to large dimensions, and remain 

 entirely free from rot. 



The largest silver firs in Scotland, perhaps in Great Britain, are the 

 two on his Grace the Duke of Argyle's property at Roseneath. 

 Upwards of fifty years ago a brother of mine assisted Mr. Monteith 

 to measure the two for insertion in his book entitled "The Forester's 

 Guide." Each of these trees contained at that time upwards of 

 500 cubic feet of timber. I saw them a few years ago, when they 

 appeared quite healthy, and are still growing in bulk. On the estate 

 of Lynedoch here there is a very fine specimen, measuring upwards 

 of 330 cubic feet. 



Abercairny and Braco estates, in Perthshire, were famous for silver 

 firs at one period; and there are fine specimens still growing at 

 Dupplin, also on Hopetoun, Arniston, Penicuik, and other estates in 

 Scotland. 



To show my own appreciation of the silver fir, I may say that I 

 have recommended it for years to be planted extensively on many 

 estates. Last year I laid out twenty-two sites, varying in area from 

 100 to 500 acres, for new plantations upon one estate in Forfarshire; 

 and where I considered the soil particularly suitable, I recommended 

 silver fir to be planted for the permanent crop, with larch only as 

 nurses. 



Important Sale of Trees and Shrubs, 



Ax extensive sale by public auction of hardy evergreen trees and shrubs, 

 the property of the Lawson Seed and Nursery Company, Limited, was held 

 at the Nurseries, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, on Nov. 7th and 8th. 

 The stock, which was sold in consequence of proposed building operations 

 necessitating the clearing part of the nursery grounds, comprised fine 

 specimen and other sizes of Araucarias, Cedrus cleodara, Cedrus AtlanUca, 

 Ci/prpssus Laivsonlana, Picpci noM/'s, besides a large assortment of orna- 

 mental plants of other descriptions, also hothouse and greenhouse plants. 

 The sale, which was conveniently held on the two days following the meet- 

 ing of the Scottish Arboricultural Society, attracted a large and influential 

 gathering of nurserymen and other buyers from various parts of the 

 country, many of whom were doubtless tempted by the conveniently small 

 lots into which the stock was divided. The interest was well maintained 

 throughout the sale, and while the competition for certain lots was very 

 keen, the general average of prices appeared decidedly high, and of a nature 

 satisfactory to the vendors. The auctioneer, Mr. Lyon, of the firm of Lyon 

 and Turnbull, got through the 1641 lots with commendable expedition, and 

 aided by exceptionally fine weather, the sale on both days must be regarded 

 as highly successful. 



