62 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the route a great deal of heavy timber was seen. The tall, clean 

 cylindrical boles of the trees were much admired, but the general 

 impression was that the trees were much too thin on the ground, 

 and that underplanting might with advantage be resorted to. 

 These trees are chiefly larch, but spruce occupies the low moist 

 situations, and on the high ground Scots pine seemed to be 

 mostly in evidence. On the invitation of Lord Kincairney, 

 the party drove to Kincairney, his Lordship's residence, where 

 they were hospitably entertained. A visit was paid to the fine 

 gardens and to the pinetum. The latter contains a good collec- 

 tion of the newer Coniferse, including some splendid specimens of 

 Tsuga Merteusiana {Albertiaiia), and a large Piniis insignis. By 

 the time the inspection of the pinetum was completed, however, 

 a dense drizzling rain had commenced to fall, and the return 

 journey to Birnam was accomplished under somewhat disagree- 

 able conditions, but, nevertheless, the day's outing was a most 

 interesting and enjoyable one. 



The Excursion Dinner took place in the Birnam Hotel in the 

 evening, Mr John Methven, Vice-President, in the absence of the 

 President, who was unable to be present, occupying the Chair. 



The programme for the 21st included Murthly and Scone 

 estates. As some additional members of the Excursion party 

 were expected by the morning train from the south, an early 

 start for Murthly could not be made, and it had been arranged 

 that before their arrival a section of the party should go to the 

 top of Birnam Hill, and that another section should pay a visit to 

 the two historic trees growing on the banks of the Tay near 

 Birnam, which form the last fragment of Great Birnam Wood. 

 But though the morning broke clear and bright, the hill-tops 

 ijecame enveloped in thick mist, so both projects were accord- 

 ingly abandoned and a visit to a larch plantation on the north- 

 western base of the hill undertaken instead. This plantation is 

 about forty-five years old, and the trees stand at about 10 feet apart 

 on the average. The state of the plantation gave rise to an inter- 

 esting discussion as to the advantages of underplanting a wood at 

 this stage, the general opinion being that undoubtedly beneficial 

 results would follow such a course, but that where a large head 

 of ground game was kept it would be hopeless to attempt it. 



On the arrival of the train, a start was made for Murthly. 

 The party drove to the west entrance to the policies, where they 

 were met by Mr Fothringham, who was accompanied by 

 Mr Rae, the' estate agent, and Mr Laurie, the head gardener. 



