259 
proportion, at any rate, of the trees are as yet in a comparatively 
juvenile state. The collection of rare shrubs, however, is of great 
richness, especially those belonging to the Heath family and such 
genera as Erica, Bryanthus, Enkianthus and Rhododendron. 
The great rock garden, which is being further enlarged, is, more 
than ever, a feature of peculiar interest. 
In Glasgow the atmospheric conditions in the Botanic Gardens 
and inner parks could scarcely be worse. Conifers can hardly be 
grown at all and even such a tree as the Horse Chestnut is so 
strangely stunted as to be scarcely recognisable. The Glasgow 
Corporation, fortunately, under the guidance of Mr. Whitton, 
pursues a vigorous and enlightened policy in relation to its parka 
and gardens, and the number of these open spaces in the outer 
ring has greatly increased in recent years. The conditions here 
are more favourable, and the indoor gardening in some of these 
newer parks is particularly good, especially as regards Orchids 
and greenhouse plants. I do not, however, propose to discuss the 
gardens either at Glasgow or Edinburgh. My objed is rather to 
draw up a few notes on the country places I visited where the 
q of trees and shrubs is not hampered by adverse condi- 
tions. And there I did, indeed, find certain classes of trees, 
sometimes restricted, perhaps, in the number of species, but 
represented by such a number of individuals and in such 
magnificent size and vigour as probably no other part of the 
British Isles can show. 
Murthly Castle. 
To conifer-lovers in the British Islands Murthly has for many 
years been a place of extraordinary interest, and ir is hk.dy, 
I think, to long remain their Mecca. Remarkable as - 
for its conifers, in no other place, so far as I have seei 
do they exist in quite such magnificent profusion combined with 
such size, health and vigour. The grounds are situated about 
%\ miles out of Dunkeld on the beautiful slopes of Tayside, and 
contain about six miles of grass walks and avenu 
bordered with splendid conifers. There is a very extensive 
collection of species and varieties but the dominating tree ot 
Murthly is the Douglas Fir. There are numerous 
ranging from 80 to over 100 feet high some of them with tranfcfl 
more than 10 feet in girth. They are of many shades of colour 
ranging from the glaucous green of the Colorado type to the 
<»ft, more grass-like greens. Where they have been 
planted sufficiently near together to simulate fuivst conditions 
they have made magnificent straight, clean trunks 
high opinion is held at Murthly <>f th- durability and value oi 
this timber. I was informed by Mr. Laurie, th _ i u-r .Thai a 
gatepost, now in use for 15 years, was still in good condition. 
Planted singly, with room for J^™^ development^ «« 
I of all < 
Next to the Douglas Firs the most noteworthy of thebiggr 
treeg arp v. the Ahm alberttana ot bcottish 
gardens), Abies grandis, . 
mertensiana, c 
Tsuga 
