520 THE GARDENER. [Nov.'» 



grand display in 1875. It was Edinburgh which first inaugurated a more than 

 usual liberal scale of prizes, and distinguished itself for efficient management 

 and the generous treatment of judges and visitors; and we have no doubt 

 this will not be forgotten on the forthcoming occasion. It is now an estab- 

 lished fact that it is only where liberal prizes are offered that great and 

 successful horticultural shows can be looked for. We need only point to Edin- 

 burgh, Glasgow, and ]\Ianchester for proof of this. In 1862 we wrote as 

 follows : " There is ample room and means too in Edinburgh for one well- 

 worked society, but not for two. A financial condition which would enable a 

 society to offer liberal prizes, with united and cordial effort, is wanted more 

 than anything else. Some may be inclined to say that this money view is 

 sordid and unworthy, and that the love of gardening, and the honour of gaining 

 prizes, however paltry, should secure good exhibitions ; sucb, we venture to 

 affirm, will never be the case, at least for any length of time. Reduce the 

 prize-lists of the London great societies to the same figures which have been 

 hitherto offered in Edinburgh, and we would very soon cease to see and hear of 

 their great displays of plants and fruits. On the other hand, raise the Edin- 

 burgh prize-lists to something like those of London, and a very little time will 

 suffice to bring as fine flowers and fruits to the exhibition benches as is 

 usually seen in the south. " The above supposition has, to a very great extent, 

 been realised, and the results are exactly as then predicted. To have good 

 shows, we must have good prizes ; and in the case of fruits especially, Edin- 

 burgh took the lead, and we have no fear of a relapse. 



NOTABLE PLACES. 



GLAMIS CASTLE, FORFARSHIRE. 

 The seat of the Right Honourable the Earl of Strathmore is situated a little 

 more than one mile from the Glamis Station on the Caledonian Railway, between 

 Perth and Aberdeen, A few minutes' walk brings the visitor to the ancient 

 entrance-gate. On entering the approach, which has a fine curve to the right, 

 I passed through an extensive and richly- wooded plantation. Here I found 

 many specimens of the finest varieties of Pines and other ornamental trees and 

 shrubs studded along its banks, and thriving most luxuriantly. On emerging 

 from this plantation, I also came to a very ancient bridge, which spans the 

 river Dean. On moving a little further on, the visitor passes some old Lime- 

 trees, and, turning to the right into the main approach, which runs nearly a 

 mile in length in a straight line due south, the eye rests on a beautiful and 

 extensive lawn, on which the hereditary and magnificent baronial castle and seat 

 of the Earls of Strathmore stands, interesting on account of the elaborate style 

 of its architecture and the historical associations connected with it. The 

 visitor should go a few hundred yards south on the main approach, and, look- 

 ing back, he will then have some idea of the grand proportions of the castle; 

 and should he be fortunate enough to get a peep inside, he will find much to 

 interest him in the internal arrangements, and in many family relics of great 

 antiquity. Glamis Castle bears date a.d. 1080, and was frequently the resi- 

 dence of the Scottish kings. It contains a curious monument of the peril of 

 feudal times, being a secret chamber, the entrance to which, by the law or 

 custom of the family, must only be known to three persons at once — viz., 

 the Earl of Strathmore, his heir- apparent, and any third person whom they 

 may take into their confidence. The immense thickness of the walls shows 



