1873.] NOTABLE PLACES. 523 



possible health, and a very heavy crop. Ko. 10. Intermediate Peach-house, 

 extra heavy crop, and trees very healthy. 



We pass from this through the gateway to the back ranges, which are 360 feet 

 in length, in eleven divisions. This range is of various heights and widths, to suit 

 the different purposes for which they are intended. On entering from the right- 

 hand side, the first is a Camellia-house, 42 by 20 feet. Camellias planted out 

 in a bed at the back, although not of any great size, are remarkably 

 healthy and doing well, with staging along the front for plants in pots. No. 2, 

 42 by 15 feet, Pine-stove, with a fine bed of Musa Cavendishii bearing large 

 clusters of fruit. In this house there is a small collection of Pines doing 

 remarkably well, many of the fruits being of large size. If fault could be 

 found at all in such a place as this, it is in the want of proper accommodation 

 for this noble fruit. No. 3, 27 by 12 feet, propagating-pit, and also where pot- 

 Vines are forced for early work, No. 4, Intermediate-stove, filled with a fine 

 healthy collection of half-specimens, grown purposely for vases in the castle 

 and dinner-table decoration. No. 5. Heath-house, same size as the last, filled 

 with a fine collection of the newer and rarer sorts, but not of any great size. 

 No. 6. General greenhouse, 42 by 20 feet, filled with a general collection of the 

 most useful greenhouse plants. No. 7. Fig-house, 42 by 15 feet, planted with 

 Figs, healthy and bearing well. The next four divisions are for Melons, 42 by 

 15 feet, which are grown on at different stages in succession. When the crop is 

 cut in any one house, the plants are immediately cleared away, new soil put in, 

 and another set planted for late crops, thus having five successions in the 

 season. Winter Cucumbers are planted on the back walls of these houses, 

 Telegraph being the favourite. In front of these houses there are two ranges 

 of substantially-bmlt pits of dressed ashler stone, 160 and 110 feet long respec- 

 tively, by 8 feet wide, portions of which are adapted for successional Pines 

 and forcing of Strawberries, of which a large amount is done here annually. 

 Keen's Seedling and Glengarry being the favourites. There is one fine feature 

 connected with this place, and that is, in the construction of the garden every 

 attention seems to have been paid in the arrangement to the comfort and con- 

 venience of the young garden-men, in the construction of their sleeping apart- 

 ments, &c. Glamis Gardens being comparatively new, and everything in and 

 about it kept in the best order, gives it quite an air of comfort and cheerful- 

 ness. Mr Johnston, his lordship's intelligent gardener here, is well known 

 for his high attainments as a gardener, and his wonderful success as a fruit- 

 grower. At the Great International Horticultural Fruit and Flower Show held 

 at Edinburgh, September 1869, he startled the whole horticultural world 

 with his wonderful productions in Grapes, and the extraordinary number of 

 prizes he took ; and at the Great International Fruit and Flower Show held at 

 Manchester a few weeks ago, he still maintained his high position as a cultiva- 

 tor, having taken leading honours in several departments. Mr Johnston's 

 dwelling-house is situated at the north-west corner, and a little distance from 

 the garden wall. The situation is well chosen, and the house has a very pretty 

 appearance, and for comfort and convenience will bear favourable comparison 

 with any gardener's house that I have seen, when the addition is finished that is 

 now being built to it. On remarking to Mr Johnston what a fine house he would 

 have by-and-by, he replied, "I am quite sure Lord and Lady Strathmore would 

 feel ill at ease if they thought any servant under them were uncomfortable. " 

 How refreshing it is, in these days of strikes and lock-outs, to hear of such fine 

 feelings existing between employer and employes ! 



West Coates Nursery. John Downie. 



