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marred by a heavy downpour of rain, which sent many of the 
party to seek shelter where they could easiest find it. Enough 
of the plantations were, however, seen to show that they were in 
excellent condition, and full of a fine regular crop of timber, 
mostly oaks and other hardwoods, with here and there some fine 
thrifty larch, spruce, and Scots fir. The foresters among the 
party declared that they would have preferred to have seen the 
ground well stocked with a crop of larch, considering the splendid 
manner in which the samples they saw were thriving. The 
lowering skies and the shades of evening brought the party back 
to the Hast Gate, where before parting with them, the warmest 
thanks of the members were cordially tendered by Mr Buchanan 
to Mr Cook and Mr M‘Taggart, for their courtesy and invaluable 
services during the afternoon. A smart walk of about 2 miles 
brought the party again to Gorebridge Station, whence they 
reached their homes by train in due time, all thoroughly satisfied 
with the afternoon’s work, and grateful to Mr Galloway, the 
Secretary, for the completeness of the arrangements he had made 
for their comfort and convenience in the limited time. 
