522 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



crops of Apples and Pears were anything like what they have been in 

 former years. "But we soon saw that the crop was light — too much 

 like what Ave had seen elsewhere during the day. Entering the 

 gardens, we met Mr Dewar. The day by this time was far spent ; 

 and some of our friends having to go by train after returning to our 

 starting-point, our visit was short, but we saw enough to convince us 

 that Mr Dewar was still up to the times, and his wonted energy was 

 exhibited in all under his care. Passing through the framing-ground 

 (in which were well-filled structures of useful material), we entered 

 the range of fruit-houses. These have been (ever since they were 

 erected) every season loaded with crops of fruit, chiefly Grapes and 

 Peaches; and this season is no exception, the later kinds, however, being 

 the best in way of Grapes. Peaches were in clusters, chiefly for late sup- 

 plies. The kitchen-garden is honct fide a vegetable garden, though the 

 useful kinds of cut flowers are grown along a border in abundance. 

 There is no ground taken up with " bedding," but every space is well 

 filled with useful stuff for culinary purposes. Notable were very fine 

 crops of Celery, and all the Brassica tribe was well represented, the 

 soil showing what it can do when well " fed and laboured." Leaving 

 this department, we passed along a finely-sheltered walk, well planted 

 along its sides by thriving Rhododendrons. These plants are peculiarly 

 at home in this place, and grow with great vigour everywhere 

 through the grounds. We entered the flot\^er-garden, which is in 

 front of the mansion. This residence (though not elevated [like 

 Raith) is very pleasantly situated. The garden in front, nice shrubs 

 and fine trees, with an opening out to the park, the Eorth, Inch- 

 keith, Arthur Seat, and other fine objects in the distance, give this 

 place a cheerful character, such as is seldom surpassed. The flower- 

 garden we thought well done : a good mixture of foliage plants gave 

 the beds a tasteful appearance ; and as flowers were not well out, their 

 absence was in a great measure made up. Eoliage also makes up for 

 the loss of flowers when battered off by rain. We were again turning 

 our thoughts and faces homewards, and a quick drive of a few milee 

 brought us within the broad lands of Balbirnie. The beautiful park, 

 studded with its gigantic beeches, &c., the long drives and extensive 

 grounds, show that this fine seat has for generations been in the pos- 

 session of proprietors who have had a keen eye for the beautiful, and 

 have done much for local improvement. The management of the place 

 shows '' footprints " of men whose skill was established before we were 

 in existence. Here our Notes must end. To go further would be 

 almost as absurd as the eulogium passed by a son of Erin on his 

 native town. A friend and myself were questioning him (in Dublin) 

 on the beautiful towns which he had visited in England and elsewhere. 



