300 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



had not been exactly what they could have wished, because a 

 thickly wooded demesne like Baronscourt required the sun to 

 develop its various beauties. They had come to a place that was 

 rather peculiarly situated, because Baronscourt was really one 

 large bog. The country surrounding it was bog, and it was only 

 on certain hills that there was a gravelly or dry soil. As they 

 had seen, there was a great fecundity of plants and shiubs, 

 including a too great abundance of rhododendrons. He wished 

 to warn them against rhododendrons, for it was impossible to 

 eradicate them. They were like weeds, and grew everywhere, 

 and the more they cut them, the more they grew. They were 

 planted at Baronscourt when they were esteemed a rare shrub, 

 and they had increased in a marvellous degree. 



In their walks that morning they would have been able to 

 realise something of the extent of Baronscourt. The total 

 area of the demesne was 5777 acres, of which 3702 acres 

 were plantations, 1792 acres comprised the two home farms, 

 96 acres were grounds not planted, 35 acres were gardens and 

 lawns, and 150 acres were water. He thought they would agree 

 that that was a pretty large extent to look after, and they would 

 also agree that if it was land that would fetch £1 or £2 an acre, 

 it would be much more profitable to the owner. 



His Grace said he was proud of the manner in which Mr Bell 

 had managed the estate, and of the energy which he put into all 

 his work. In concluding, he said that those who could appreciate 

 rain — water unmixed with whisky — and warm sunshine, when 

 the sun did shine in that district, and who could appreciate a 

 warm and hearty welcome, had only to come to the north-west of 

 Ireland. 



After luncheon, a visit was paid to the beautiful flower-gardens, 

 which are laid out on an Italian design in picturesque beds, all im- 

 pression of flatness being removed by beautiful yews and very fine 

 specimens of the Lawson golden cypress (Cupressus laiosoniana 

 lutea). A very artistically-formed pergola or arbour, running 

 from the terrace to the lake, and covered with roses, clematis, 

 and Viiginia creeper, was much admired. The party having been 

 photographed on the steps of the terrace, next proceeded to 

 one of the home farms, where all the apparatus of a well- 

 appointed dairy was seen at work. A walk through Cloonty 

 Wood brought them to the conservatories, a very complete 

 range of glass, consisting of large span-roofed vineries, peach- 



