THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 305 



leaving the grounds, Mr Alex. Milne proposed a hearty vote of 

 thanks to the Earl and Countess of Annesley for their kindness 

 in having afforded theni an opportunity of seeing their 

 magnificent collection of the vegetable kingdom. It had been, 

 he said, a great treat for them to examine these fine plants, so 

 full of interest to the arboriculturist and the horticulturist, and 

 the visit had been one of intense pleasure. Lord Annesley, in 

 replying, said it was well known that Scotland grew the best 

 gardeners in the world, and he felt very highly honoured in seeing 

 there that day the very best gai'deners in Scotland, because he 

 considered them the very pick of the trade, and if they were 

 satisfied with the plants he had shown them, he regarded that as 

 very high praise indeed. Both the Countess and himself had 

 been highly pleased to see them. 



The party drove round the lake on their way back to Newcastle, 

 and on the journey inspected some other pinetums, which con- 

 tained fine varieties of trees. A splendid example of the 

 Pseitdotsuga Douglassii, planted about forty years ago, was seen 

 growing to a height of 100 feet. There were some beautiful and 

 well-developed Ai'auearia imbricata, showing marvellous growth. 

 A noble specimen of Pinus insignis was about 80 feet high, and 

 well furnished to the ground. Fine specimens of the Abies 

 magnified and of the Abies nobilis were growing side by side, and 

 brought out the distinguishing characteristics of the two species. 

 The drive was continued through Tullymore Park, the residence 

 of the Earl of Roden, and a richly wooded demesne bordering on 

 the unenclosed uplands of the Mourne Mountains. Some fine old 

 trees were observed in the park, and there was a nice avenue of 

 Cedrus Deodara about a mile in length. 



The return journey was made to Belfast in the evening by 

 special train from Newcastle. This brought the official Excursion 

 to a close, but about fifty of the membei's remained till next day 

 for a supplementary trip to the Giant's Causeway. 



