2l6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in circumference at 5 feet up. Here also, as in other parts of the 

 grounds, were to be seen growing in forest form many imported 

 trees, such as Douglas firs, silvers, Menzies spruce, and even 

 Albert spruces, Cypresses, Wellingtonias, all making fine clean 

 shapely stems like any ordinary forest-tree. 



The west avenue, the Nobilis avenue, and many other note- 

 worthy objects in this home of rare trees, were also inspected. 

 Among the trees specially noted were the following — a fine old 

 " Douglas" now about 70 years of age, 112 feet high, 12 ft. 6 ins. 

 circumference at 5 feet up ; the pendulous branchletted spruce, 

 a rare and beautiful variety of the Norway spruce ; an Abies 

 magnifica 85 feet high, and 7 feet in circumference at 5 feet up, 

 said to be the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom. 



At the saw-mill several large planks of Douglas fir and Menzies 

 spruce were shown partly planed. The Douglas had a fine reddish 

 appearance, and ex-Provost Fleming, whose opinion, from his 

 extensive connection with the timber-trade, must be respected, 

 expressed himself to the effect that the Douglas fir lent itself to 

 a high polish and finish, and was therefore well adapted for house 

 construction, etc. The Menzies spruce was whiter, and otherwise 

 not so suitable for highly finished work. 



When all this had been seen, a re-union was again effected at 

 Durris Cottage, the beautiful home of Mr and Mrs Braid, where 

 a sumptuous tea and other refreshments were set out on the lawn 

 by Mrs Braid. Before mounting the conveyances, Mr Gammell of 

 Drumtochty proposed thanks to Mr and Mrs Braid for their 

 substantial remembrance of the Society's human needs. If any- 

 thing could attain to pleasure and profit alike, it was this visit of the 

 Arboricultural Society to Durris. The former is unquestioned, 

 while, at the same time, many practical lessons were to be learned 

 by the student of forestry. 



I am sure that those of us who have some practical knowledge of 

 forestry can, from our observations at Durris, added to former 

 experience, unhesitatingly assure even the most cautious of our 

 landed proprietors and others interested, that a profitable invest- 

 ment can be obtained by planting as forest-trees some of the newer 

 conifers, such as Douglas fir, Menzies spruce, etc. 



Durris, by its nearness to the city and the many object-lessons 

 it affords, will no doubt be highly appreciated by Mr Dawson, 

 the recently appointed lecturer at Aberdeen University, and 

 his students. John Rule, Forester, Huntly. 



