BoBBiXGTON Manor Faum Estatk. — This property, consisting of about 287 

 acres, in the parish of Bobbington, Staffordshire, was disposed of by auction 

 by Messrs. Sollom and Barnett, at the Star and Garter Hotel, Wolverhampton, 

 on the 11th ult., in eight lots. The principal portion was purchased for the 

 Earl of Dudley for £12,82C, including the timber ; and another small lot was 

 bought for Lord Wrottesley. 



Sale or an Abeedeenshire Estate. — The estate of Grange, lying in the 

 neighbourhood of Peterhead, has recently been purchased by James McCom- 

 bie, Esq., from Alex. Walker, Esq., for the sum of £12,400. The property 

 comprises 140 acres, mostly excellent arable land, a portion of which is laid 

 out as market gardens ; the rental of the whole estate being £408 per annum. 



Escallonia Maceantiia in Nottinghamshire. — This is one of the best ever- 

 green shrubs which we have for planting against walls having a south or west 

 aspect. It grows freely in loam mixed with a little sand. When in good 

 health, the foliage is of a bright and cheerful tint of green ; and now, when in 

 flower, it is very effective. E. Ingrami is another good variety ; both are 

 quite hardy here, having stood unprotected for six years. — A. H., Thoresby. 



Experiments with Tonite. — On Wednesday, 21st Nov., some interesting 

 experiments with the new explosive, tonite, or cotton powder, were made by 

 the Earl of Airlie, on his estate of Cortachy. The material does not contain 

 the means for its own ignition, and is said to be as powerful as dynamite. 

 Several tree roots were scattered successfully. 



Juniperus Sabina. — The most perfect specimen of this shrub that has come 

 under my notice is to be seen growing on the lawn at [the rectory here. Its 

 height is 5 fc, and its circumference 72 ft. — Richard Nisbet, Asioarby Park, 

 FolJcingliam. 



DuRABiLiTr OF THE WooD OF A CoNiFERous Tbee. — A remarkable instance of 

 this is recorded by Mr. John Buchanan in the " Transactions of the New 

 Zealand Institute." The tree in question is Fodocarpus spicata, the " Mai," or 

 " Kaka-terro " (big tree) of the Maoris, a common forest tree of enormous size 

 and great height, found almost throughout the island of New Zealand. Mr. 

 Buchanan describes a prostrate trunk, which was pointed out to him in a 

 valley near Dunedin. He calculates that the tree must have lain where he 

 saw it at least 300 years, from the fact that its trunk was enfolded by 

 the roots of three large trees, which must have grown from seed since its fall. 

 The three trees seated upon it and rooting in the earth on both sides, thus 

 holding it in their embrace, are all Griselinia littoralis, with trunks 3 ft. 6 in. 

 in diameter. They were recently felled, and the growth rings count over 300, 

 thus approximating 300 years. 



