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the most pleasant and satisfactory manner. On the way the 
Montrose Homes for Sick Children, erected and generously main- 
tained by the Duchess of Montrose, attracted much attention 
from their pretty, comfortable, cosy appearance, the beau-ideal 
of a health-restoring home to a sickly child. The kirk and 
manse of Buchanan were passed, and the home nurseries, full of a 
fine healthy stock of both forest and ornamental trees and shrubs, 
were inspected. 
Near the Castle the party were received and cordially welcomed 
by their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Montrose, and hospit- 
ably entertained by them to luncheon in a large marquee erected 
on the lawn. Afterwards the party were courteously shown 
over the Castle by His Grace, who conducted them to the top 
of the stately square tower, whence a most magnificent view 
of the splendid landscape, amidst which it stands, was obtained. 
The Castle, which is stored with valuable family heirlooms 
and rich works of art, is a handsome modern structure in 
the Scottish Baronial style, standing on a commanding site, 
surrounded by noble woodlands and parks extending to about 
1500 acres. 
With His Grace leading them, the party proceeded to make a 
closer survey of the beautiful grounds, and the numerous hand- 
some trees and shrubs with which they are richly adorned. On 
the south front of the Castle, and close to the walls, the Tasmanian 
“Blue Gum,” Lucalyptus globulus, has been freely planted, and 
had a charming effect, although, as His Grace informed the party, 
it was more on account of its valuable sanitary properties than 
its beautiful appearance that he had planted it so near to the 
Castle. The vigorous and healthy look of those rather tender 
exotics spoke volumes for the salubrity of the climate and the 
capacity of the soil at Buchanan for the sustenance of tree life. 
Further evidence of this was seen all over this noble domain, in 
which hardy trees and shrubs grow with great luxuriance, and 
many grand specimens have attained to a large size and stately 
proportions. 
On the lawn between the Castle and the gardens were seen 
many fine specimens of the newer Conifers, including very 
handsome and thriving examples of Abies nobilis, A. Nord- 
manniana, A, Pinsapo, A. cephalonica, A. concolor, A. Douglasu, 
A. Menziesii ; Thaja gigantea ; Cupressus Lawsoniana, C. Nut- 
kensis, C. macrocarpa; Pinus cembra, P. monticola,; Cedrus 
