45 
distance, the policies were re-entered by Ballieward Gate. The 
drive was continued along a well-made road, and crossing Ballie- 
ward Burn, some very fine old beeches, planes, and silver firs were 
seen. The railway was again crossed by a substantial bridge, and 
the s'te of the former garden was pointed out, now occupied 
by a crop of beeches and firs. An object of interest here was 
a fine group of spruce trees, raised from seed brought from 
Germany. A tall and handsome silver fir girthed 12 feet at 
5 feet up. Near the home farm, elms of fine growth and large 
size were numerous, and the whole park in this locality was beauti- 
fully wooded. Near the castle was seen a young clump of fine 
healthy Scots pine and plane, or sycamore trees, planted on the 
occasion to commemorate the marriage of the Duke of York and 
the Princess May of Teck. Driving through a part of Heathfield 
Wood, notice was taken of the splendid mercantile qualities of 
the Scots pine trees, the fine shapely stems rising to a great 
height without a branch, and forming the beau-ideal of a timber 
tree. A large number of trees were blown down in this wood 
by the gale of the 17th November 1893, but they had been all 
sold and cleared away, so keen was the demand for wood of such 
a high quality. On reaching the gardens, the party were met by 
Mr Johnson, gardener to the Countess Dowager of Seafield at 
Castle Grant, who courteously showed the party over the gardens 
and hothouses, all well filled with excellent crops of flowers, fruits, 
and vegetables, and in perfect order. 
Leaving the garden, the party proceeded on foot through the 
Millton Wood. Near the garden, a handsome Norway spruce 
of large dimensions attracted much attention. It stood about 
75 feet high, and was closely feathered with branches from the 
ground to the apex, with a striking uniformity. A bee-line was 
taken for the castle through the Millton Wood, which is believed 
to be one of the oldest plantations in the policies. A number 
of the finest Scots pines in this wood were measured, with the 
following results:—(1) A splendid specimen of a ‘ bonnet-headed ” 
Scots pine, known as ‘“‘ The Earl’s Tree,” girthed 9 feet 6 inches 
at 5 feet up, and 68 feet in total height, with a clean bole 54 feet 
ia height; (2) 10 feet 8 inches in girth; (3) 9 feet 5 inches in 
girth; and (4) 8 feet 5 inches in girth. The trees averaged about 
85 feet in height, but one giant which was afterwards seen 
measured the great height, for a Scots pine, of 104 feet. Passing 
out of the wood, and crossing the lawn in the vicinity of the 
