Botanic Garden. If so, they must be the oldest in the kingdom. 
Among other things of interest are fine specimens of Canadian 
Hemlock Spruce— Tsuga canadensis— one of which has a trunk 
7 feet 2 inches in girth. Another good specimen is growing mosi 
picturesquely on the edge of the gorge, whose precipitous side it 
overhangs, evidence of how much the climate favours the growth 
of such trees, for its roots appear to be embedded mainly in the 
rock. Tsuga mcrtmsimia, the common Silver Fir and Douglas 
Fir, are represented by fine healthy specimens, although not so 
large as one sees in other parts of Perthshire. Here also is 
growing what I think is the finest specimen I have seen of the 
cutdeaved Beech — Fag us .sj/lnifira var. h<>i>>,; w jojlla. It has a 
trunk just over 7 feet in girth and it is 70 feet high. 
DlTNKELD. 
No true arboriculturist would pass Dunkeld for the first time 
without making a pilgrimage to the two famous so-called 
" parent " Larches standing near the old cathedral. They are the 
survivors of five trees planted there in 1738 by fche then Duke of 
Atholl. It is a matter for regret that one of them is now dying, 
having, it is believed, been struck by lightning. The dimensions 
of the other are given on a tablet at its base :— Height, 102 feet ; 
girth at 3 feet, 17 feet 2 inches ; girth at 68 feet, 6 feet 1 inch. 
Near the house are several other magnificent Larches, scarcely, 
if at all, inferior to this — one in particular was noticeable for its 
"fdike base, 8 feet in diameter. 
Dunkeld is the original home of the Larch in Britain in more 
senses than one. It was here that the first plantations on a large 
scale were made, and the names of successive Dukes of Atholl in 
the 18th century will always be remembered as the pioneers of 
this branch of forestry. According to Hunter, in his " Woods, 
Forests, and Estates of Perthshire," plantations of 27 millions of 
Larches were made by the fourth Duke alone — still known as 
" The Planter." 
As is well known, Dunkeld is situated in a district of singular 
natural beauty, and the grounds are amongst the loveliest in 
Scotland. Lofty precipitous hills rise around them, an I a 
charming grassy walk, broad and closely mown, winds by the 
side of the rushing Tav. The collection of conifers is being added 
to, but the number of species represented by unusual 8] 
not great. The common Silve 1 * Fir, however, is in magnificent 
condition, one of them is estimated to be between 110 and 
150 feet high. At Kew this tree can only be kept alive for a few 
years. There is also a fine Thuya dnhihrnta, 20 feet lugh. :ul-I 
not showing its usual disposition to become thin and lanky at the 
top. Of numerous well-grown hardy shrubs I noted Kalmia 
intifni;,,, 9 feet high and 12 feet through, finely in flower, and 
Viburnum jinni/fiJium, 20 feet high. 
Blair Castle. 
This is another of the seats of the Dukes of Atholl, and, like 
Dunkeld, is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. The 
gardens are picturesque, with fine views and very pretty avenues 
and drives, and to the west of the castle there is a magnificent 
