NOTES AND QUERIES. 79 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



Proposed Memorial to Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour. 



For several years before his death, and especially since he 

 became engrossed in the classification of the rhododendrons 

 and other plants newly imported from China, Sir Isaac felt 

 keenly the want of some place where the plants raised at the 

 Botanic Garden in Edinburgh could be cultivated under more 

 suitable conditions. Shortly before leaving Edinburgh he paved 

 the way for the establishment of such a garden on one of the 

 estates acquired by the Forestry Commission. 



After his resignation as Regius Keeper, but with his hearty 

 approval, a site in Glenbranter Forest, Argyllshire, was 

 selected as the most suitable for this purpose, and by informal 

 arrangement between H.M. Office of Works and the Forestry 

 Commission, several consignments of plants have already been 

 sent there from Edinburgh. An area of 50 acres has now 

 been definitely assigned for this purpose, the scope having been 

 enlarged so as to include trial ground for newly imported 

 conifers and other trees in which the Forestry Commission is 

 interested. Part of this area is occupied by an oak wood 

 fringing either side of a rocky gorge, and is, in the opinion 

 of Professor Wright Smith and Mr. George Forrest, to whom 

 we owe the introduction of so many new species, admirably 

 adapted, in soil, shelter, and variety of aspect, to the special 

 purpose Sir Isaac had in view. It is intended that this area, 

 which will be under the superintendence of the Regius 

 Keeper, should be called the Bayley Balfour Arboretum 

 or Garden. The expense of maintaining it will be small, 

 since land, house accommodation, and plants are already 

 provided. 



It is suggested that the Memorial to Sir Isaac should take 

 the form of a rest-house for the use of visitors. This might 

 consist of a simple shelter designed by a good architect, or 

 possibly, if sufficient funds were forthcoming, of a somewhat 

 larger building, with a caretaker, where simple accommodation 

 could be provided for visitors who wished to spend some days at 

 the place. Other adjuncts, such as an entrance gate or bridge 

 over the burn, might be considered, as well as the equipment 



