2 24 T/ie Joiirnal of Forestry. 



effects on plants of little value, before applying it to valuable specimens.— 

 Ed. /. P.] 



Oi5iTUAiiY. — "We regret to announce the death, on May 23rd, of Mr. James 

 Barnes, late gai'dener, forester, and land-steward at Bicton, Devonshire. Mr. 

 Barnes, besides being a distinguished horticulturist and able writer on gardening 

 matters, was also an eminent arboriculturist, and the celebrated collection of 

 coniferaa, and other rare and ornamental trees and shrubs at Bicton, were 

 chiefly formed under his practical superintendence, and are a living tribute to 

 his good taste and eminent ability. We also regret to announce the death of 

 Mr. Henry Merryweather, which occurred at the Nurseries, Southwell, Notts, 

 on the 17th May. Mr. Merryweather was a man of great experience, and he 

 was held in much esteem in the neighbourhood. Mr. Merryweather was 

 seventy-four years of age, and is succeeded in the business by his son, the 

 eminent rosarian. We also have to record the death, on May 1, at 

 Wimbledon, of John Eussell Eeeves, F.R.S., F.L.S., of Woodhayes, Wim- 

 bledon, and Huutsland, Sussex, formerly in the H.E.I.C.S. in China, aged 

 seventy-three. Mr. Reeves, when in China, was the means of introducing 

 several fine plants to this country, some of which, such as Reevsia thyrsoidea 

 and Spira3 Reevsii, bear testimony by their names to the good service he 

 rendered to botany, horticulture, and arboriculture. 



Foreign Woods. — Seventeen foreign countries made excellent displays of 

 forest products at the great Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, U.S.A. 

 last season, but of special interest and value were those from Brazil, Argentine 

 Republic, Phillippine Islands, Canada, and Japan. Brazil exhibited 210 

 varieties of ornamental woods in sections of about five feet in length, and 

 partially dressed. The Argentine Republic presented 300 varieties, and other 

 countries lesser numbers, those from Japan being prepared to present planes 

 at diSerent angles, showing thoroughly the cellular structure, the sections of 

 each species being accompanied by specimens of leaves, branches, flowers and 

 seed vessels, and all scientifically named. Venezuela displayed over 20O 

 medicinal products of the forest, and 100 varieties of woods. 



A Good Custom.— We have been asked if it is true that in Switzerland the 

 law compels every newly-married couple to plant six trees immediately after 

 the marriage ceremony, and two on the birth of each child? We cannot 

 answer the question, and refer it to our Swiss correspondents for solution. In 

 the meantime we doubt the veracity of the report. 



A Jubilee. — AVe learn that it has been proposed amongst the numerous 

 friends of Mr. Robert Foulis, gardener and forester to George W. M. 

 Henderson Esq., at Fordell, Fifeshire, to present him with a testimonial to 

 commemorate the completion in September next of a service of fifty years at 

 Fordell. A strong committee for the management of it has already been 

 formed, with its head quarters in Edinburgh, and from the high esteem in 

 which Mr. Foulis is held throughout the country, we have no doubt the move- 

 ment will meet with a hea.rty reception and a well deserved success. We are 

 glad to know that Mr. Foulis, although considerably over three-score years 

 and ten, is still hale and hearty, and actively superintending the gardens and 

 woods at Fordell, with an amount of energy and ability, and a thorough 

 knowledge of the best systems of the day in vogue, in horticulture and 

 aboriculture, that would put to shame many men in the prime of life. Long 

 may he be spared in health to enjoy the esteem of his friends, and to fill the 

 Dosition he has so long and honourablv held. 



