49 
girthing 14 feet 8 inches at 5 feet from the ground. It was 
planted in 1834, of which mention is made by Bishop in the 
Methven Castle records, and is at the present moment probably 
the finest tree of the kind in the United Kingdom. It was very 
much admired, clothed as it was with foliage down to the very 
ground. Near it are Wellingtonias, Redwoods, Deodars, and 
many other firs and pines, but none of them have attained to the 
dimensions of this gigantic Menzies spruce. Among the pines, 
Pinus monticola was found to be thriving particularly well, and 
seems to be one of the best of the North American pines for 
growing in Scotland. The Deodars and Pinus Cembra were 
not happy looking, the soil being possibly too poor and cold 
for their tastes. 
A very curious and striking variety was seen of the Balsam 
fir, Abies balsamea, from North America. It puzzled the 
botanists of the company to say exactly what it was, being 
so different in appearance from the typical form as to seem 
another species. Professor Bayley Balfour carried off some 
well-coned branches of it, and these having been forwarded 
to Dr Masters of the Gardeners’ Chronicle, one of the recognised 
authorities on Conifers, he pronounced it to be Abies balsamea. 
Leaving the pinetum, the party drove at a rapid pace to 
Captain Black’s home nurseries, near Keillour Castle, where 
was growing a large and healthy stock of young trees—chiefly 
the rarer conifers raised from seed gathered off the trees in the 
pinetum. Again the road was taken, and driving rapidly down 
country, Balgowan, the seat of Captain J. S. Black, and the 
birthplace of General Lord Lynedoch, the Peninsular warrior, 
was soon reached, at the bottom of the wide “braes.” In the 
beautiful and well-laid-out grounds around the mansion were 
seen many fine trees and handsome specimens of the newer 
Coniferze, an inspection of which fitly closed what may be 
called a “Conifer Excursion.” It was a misfortune that so 
short a time could be spent here, where there was so much 
that was worthy of careful inspection. But time was flying, 
and the company, in order to see something of the policies, 
had literally to gallop through them. In the grounds were 
some grand ancestral trees, and many of the rarer conifers 
in the most vigorous health and perfect beauty. 
Among notable trees which were measured were a Cedar of 
Lebanon, 12 feet 10 inches in girth; a beech, 11 feet 2 inches; 
and an oak, 13 feet 9 inches,—all taken at 5 feet up. Splendid 
examples also were seen of Abies Albertiana, A. Douglasii, 
A. grandis, A. nobilis, A. Nordmanniana, Cupressus Lawsoniana, 
Thuja gigantea, and Thujopsis borealis. The views all around 
were very beautiful—the rich agricultural country, stretching 
