EXCURSION TO STRATHBOGIE. 243 
sioner on the estates, expressing his regret at not being able 
to be present, and he also gave extracts from a paper read 
by Mr Cumming, late forester at Huntly, at a meeting of 
the Northern Horticultural Association in 1888, in which he 
claimed that the effect of planting the Bin and other woods 
had been to make the season nine days earlier on the 
average in spring, and to render the winter milder. On 
behalf of the party, Mr Duff proposed a hearty vote of thanks 
to the Messrs Lockhart for all the interesting information they 
had supplied regarding the timber-clearing operations and for 
their hospitality, to which Mr A. Lockhart briefly replied ; 
and on leaving the Binhill plantation they proceeded towards 
Huntly Lodge by way of the Crowwood, which consists of old 
Scots pine with boles about 15 feet in length, many of which 
measure from 7 to 8 feet in circumference at 5 feet from the 
ground, and wide-spreading heads. At Huntly Lodge the party 
were entertained to tea on the lawn by Colonel Cumberland and 
Laura, Lady Grant, to whom, on the motion of Mr Irvine of 
Drum, a vote of thanks was cordially given, and the party then 
repaired to the station, where, on the motion of Mr Scott, the 
Hon. Secretary, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Rule 
for all he had done to promote the success of the excursion. 
The party included Messrs Forbes Irvine, of Drum; Innes, of Raemore; 
Duff, Huntly; Dawson, M.A., B.Sc., Aberdeen; A. and D, F. Lockhart, 
Huntly; Crozier, Durris; Hutton, Glendye; Fyfe, Aden; France, Aberdeen ; 
Cumming, Aberdeen; Sim, Cornhill; Smith, Drummuir; Bremner, Durris; 
Gauld, Blairmore; Singer, Strathdon; Clark, Haddo; Lobban, Fyfe Keith; 
Milne, Aberdeen; Cocker, Aberdeen; Harper, Aberdeen; Dunbar, Huntly ; 
and Scott, Aberdeen, Hon. Secretary. 
