THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 509 



as compared with 15 feet 5 inches in 1896, when it was measured 

 by the Field Naturalists' Society. Some very fine larches and 

 Scots firs were also seen, one of the Scots firs growing on the 

 banks of the Doon being known to be two hundred years old. 



The members were received in front of the mansion-house by 

 Miss Cathcart, who directed their attention to a couple of vener- 

 able yew trees, and also to a birch tree which was planted in 

 1820, and now girthed no less than 10 feet 4 inches. Some 

 good specimens of the tulip tree, the variegated oak, and the 

 eagle's claw maple wei'e also seen, and a turn through the gar- 

 dens completed the inspection. Mr Brown, solicitor, Maybole, 

 who is factor on the estate, gave the party a most courteous 

 reception, and readily supplied the fullest information as to all 

 that was to be seen there. 



Remounting their brakes, the party next drove to Culzean 

 Castle, the seat of the Marquis of Ailsa, who received them with 

 the greatest kindness, and entertained them to a sumptuous 

 lunch. The party afterwards spent the afternoon in exploring 

 the beautiful garden and policy grounds. Mr Smith, the factor; 

 Mr Page, land steward and Local Secretary to the Society; Mr 

 Dalziel, forester; and Mr Murray, the gardener, acted as guides, 

 and readily supplied all information required. When the after- 

 noon was well spent, the party remounted their brakes, and 

 drove by the shore road back to Ayr. 



The Annual Dinner of the Society was held that night in 

 the King's Arms Hotel — Lord Mansfield presiding. At the 

 Business Meeting, which followed, it was remitted to a committee 

 to arrange for next year's Excursion being held in Scandinavia. 



Wednesday, 7th August. 



The first place of call was Doonholm, the beautiful residence of 

 Mr Kennedy, timber merchant, Glasgow. Here the party saw 

 some good timber crops, and a fine collection of exotic plants of 

 many kinds. Thence the drive was continued to Cassillis, the 

 property of the Marquis of Ailsa, where some well-managed 

 woods were seen. From Cassillis the party drove on to May- 

 bole, where ex-Provost Marshall, of Messrs Jack & Sons, 

 agricultural engineers, had lunch in readiness for them. 



The party inspected with great interest the works of Messrs 

 Jack & Sons, where they saw large quantities of home-grown 



