Note on an Ancient Ash Tree. 21.> 



of the tree would appear to be considerably more than that given. 

 The letter is written to Dr T. B. Grierson, Thornhill, and is as 

 follows : — ■ 



Dalswinton, 



Sept., 1863. 

 " My dear Doctor,— 



I have no doubt but you will think me prosy 

 in filling up the schedule you gave me, but Mr Leny being from 

 home I waited his arrival to see if he could render any assistance, 

 but without effect, only that he had laid dung all round the roots 

 to assist in retaining life, but all to no purpose. 

 I hope the few answers given may be of use. 

 I am, my dear Doctor, 



Yours very truly, 



(Sgd.) Adam Rintoul. 



Arboricultural Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. 

 Date, September, 1863. 



Tree reported on, Fraximus excelsior, Linn. 

 Cummin's Ash. 



Name and address of reporter. 

 Adam Rintoul. 



Locality, climate, exposure, aspect, elevation above the sea, 



character of district, form of surface, etc. 



Climate good, southern exposure, elevation 71 feet above 

 the sea. The district is pretty and level, and also for 

 about 100 yards round the tree. 



Soil, sub-soil, their depth, drainage, and geological formation. 



Soil, good loam with gravel sub-soil, depths variable, for- 

 mation like an amphitheatre. 



Supposed age of tree, and the reasons on which the supposition is 



founded. 



Supposed age from three to four hundred years old. I 

 can give no reason for the supposed age but what is tradi- 

 tional in the locality. 



How growing? Solitary, in masses, mixed with other trees or 

 shrubs ; if so, what kinds ? 



Growing solitary. It had a brother which fell some forty 



or fifty years ago. 



