THE TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL EXCURSION. 187 
the estates of Erskine and Pollok, in Renfrewshire, were 
visited. 
Leaving Glasgow at 8.30 a.M., the party drove by way of 
Renfrew to Erskine, a detour being made through the Blyths- 
wood policies. Erskine is the property of Mr W. A. Baird, 
who succeeded to the whole of the Blantyre properties 
on the death of his grandfather, the late Lord Blantyre, 
about five years ago. The Excursionists were met by Mr 
MacBean the land-steward and forester on the estate, and 
under his guidance they were conducted through the Shilton 
Woods, where some large oak and Scots pine had recently 
been felled. These trees were about 130 years old, and the 
quality of the timber was very fine. The vigorous health 
of the younger plantations also impressed the party very 
much, the injurious effects of the Glasgow smoke, owing to 
the direction of the prevailing winds being south-westerly, not 
affecting them much. At Erskine House the party was met 
by Mr Baird. After a walk through the Park, where there 
are some fine large trees, the party was entertained to 
luncheon by Mr Baird in the mansion-house, and _there- 
after, under his guidance, an inspection of some of its 
principal apartments was made. The house contains a 
magnificent collection of historical furniture and works of art 
of almost priceless value. Of greatest interest, perhaps, were 
a cabinet which belonged to Mary Queen of Scots, and a 
large mirror and casket presented by Charles II. to Frances 
Stuart of Richmond and Lennox. Afterwards a fine old 
wood near the house, consisting chiefly of oak, larch, and 
sycamore, all the more open parts of which are being planted 
with some of the more valuable Coniferze, was visited; and a 
“mixed” plantation of about 7 acres, formed in March 1904, 
after a crop of heavy hardwoods, and which is showing 
remarkably good progress, was much admired. Time would 
not permit of any of the other plantations being visited, nor 
could a visit be paid to the Golf Course, which by many 
experts is considered to be the finest in the west of Scotland. 
On behalf of the party Mr Buchanan thanked Mr Baird 
for his kind hospitality, and congratulated him on the success 
of his efforts to improve the condition of forestry on his estates; 
and after giving three hearty parting cheers, the party drove 
via Paisley to Pollok. 
