136 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



second and third were from the Scone and Lynedoch sections 

 of the Mansfield estates. The third prize plank, though not a 

 large one, was beautifully silver-grained, and might have been 

 placed otherwise but for a small black knot near one side. The 

 three prize planks of elm were straight-grained and light coloured, 

 and of almost equal merit. 



Only one competitor forwarded specimens of three kinds of 

 coniferous timber, exclusive of Scots pine, spruce and larch. 

 These were silver fir, Austrian pine, and cedar. 



In the class for three specimens of hardwood timber, other 

 than oak, ash, or elm, there were three exhibits. The species 

 shown included beech, sycamore, lim.e, and Spanish chestnut, 

 all of which were of quite good quality. 



The array of field-gates and other (fancy) gates formed a very 

 conspicuous part of the Exhibition. The field-gates, seven in 

 number, with an additional one for exhibition only, were of very 

 good workmanship and made of fine quality larch, while the 

 various ways of " steekin' the yett" contrived by ingenious 

 exhibitors excited a considerable amount of curiosity. For a 

 gate of home-grown timber of exhibitor's own design, only one 

 gate was sent in. It was very suitable as an entrance gate and 

 attractively designed. One self-closing wicket-gate, shown in 

 working order, was constructed of gean tree, and another of 

 varnished oak was erected for exhibition only. The design of 

 both gates was quite appropriate. 



Two exhibitors sent collections of specimens showing the 

 effects of pruning, which were highly instructive, and showed 

 very clearly the results of good and bad pruning. 



In the ''useful invention section" two tree-guards were 

 awarded silver medals. One was cheaply and strongly con- 

 structed of larch thinnings, fixed to two pairs of iron bands, 

 thus forming two sections and rendering removal easy by un- 

 screwing four bolts. The other guard was made of dressed 

 wood and was also easily removable. Another interesting 

 invention was a machine for painting wire netting. 



The most notable features in the class for articles made 

 wholly or mainly of wood were an inlaid table, a pair of turned 

 oak candlesticks, and a trinket box of burr oak. Among other 

 entries in this section were a collection of turned-wood articles,, 

 and the necessary wood for a farm cart. 



The non-competitive section contained some most interesting. 



