OBITUARIES. 117 



him, and would probably have modified, to a considerable 

 extent, his views on our home system of forestry. 



Mr Mackenzie had been in failing health for a considerable 

 number of years, but still continued to discharge his duties, 

 and expressed the hope that he would die in harness, which 

 he did, as he was suddenly struck down, on 22nd July 1910, 

 while superintending some estate improvements, and died within 

 a few hours. 



Mr James Robertson, late Wood Manager, Panmure. 



Mr Robertson was a native of Murthly; as a young man he 

 worked under Mr John Murray, the forester there, and later 

 had charge of the woods on the Grandtully and Murthly 

 estates, where he was much esteemed by the late proprietor, 

 Sir William D. Stewart. About forty years ago he was 

 entrusted with the planting, with large beech trees, of the 

 beautiful avenue which leads from Birnam Hotel to Murthly 

 grounds, and this is a fine monument of his work. 



After working for fourteen years at Murthly, Mr Robertson 

 went to the Perth Nurseries to acquire more experience in 

 sowing and transplanting, and he then became forester to Sir 

 M. S. Stewart, Duchall, Kilmacolm. Soon afterwards he 

 received the appointment of wood manager at Drummond 

 Castle, where he remained four years. 



About thirty-four years ago the late Earl of Dalhousie, on 

 the recommendation of the late Mr M'Corquodale, Scone, 

 appointed Mr Robertson wood manager on his extensive 

 Panmure estates, where he remained until within a short 

 time of his death. 



Mr Robertson was elected a member of the Society in 

 1872, and ten years later was elected a member of the council, 

 a position which he held for a considerable number of years, 

 finally retiring in 1903. He acted as a judge of essays for 

 several years, and was a local secretary for many years. 

 While he contributed little directly to forestry literature, he 

 was a valued councillor, and took a keen interest in all the 

 alTairs of the Society up to the day of his death. During 

 his stay at Panmure he established an extensive nursery and 

 many thriving plantations, and reorganised the management of 

 the old woods. He was generally recognised as a sound 

 forester of the old school. 



