76 TRANSACTIONS OF ROVAL SCOTTTSH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Under the leadership of Mr Street, head gardener, a round 

 was made of the vineries, conservatories, rose and flower 

 gardens, etc. Leaving by way of the west drive, an area of 

 extremely well-proportioned oak was seen. 



A short drive brought the party to Newton Don, the property 

 of Captain C. B. Balfour. Some fine specimens of oak, lime, 

 AVych elm, silver fir and yew were seen, and some of the newer 

 conifers were represented by well-grown specimens. An old oak 

 was found to girth 15 ft. 11 ins. at 4 feet from ground, and a 

 lime, said to be the tallest in Scotland, and the height of which 

 was given as 104 feet, was found to girth 14 ft. 4,!- ins. 



The return being made to Kelso, the annual excursion dinner 

 was held in the Cross Keys Hotel. 



On Wednesday, 28th June, the party left in motor cars for 

 Hendersyde Park, the residence of Sir Richard Waldie-Griffith, 

 Bart. A walk through the beautiful grounds and gardens 

 revealed some very fine specimen trees, and a large area of 

 well-developed hardwoods, to the north of the house, was also 

 inspected. The next halt was at Springhill, where a great 

 variety of rare shrubs was seen. 



Proceeding to The Hirsel, the property of the Earl of Home, 

 an inspection of the well-wooded policies was made under the 

 guidance of Mr Sillar, factor, and Mr Johnston, forester. There 

 are about 570 acres under wood on this property, the greater 

 part being within the policies. On the banks of the Leet some 

 very fine timber trees, probably about 200 years old, were seen. 

 Oak girthing up to 13 ft. 9 ins., ash to 9 ft. 9 ins., larch to 10 ft. 

 3 ins., silver fir to 13 feet, sycamore to 17 ft. 4 ins., and beech to 

 16 ft. 9 ins., all at 5 feet from ground, and mostly of fine clean 

 growth, were noted. The younger plantations are fairly healthy, 

 but squirrels have been doing considerable damage of late years. 

 An extensive plantation of rhododendrons and azaleas was 

 pointed out, but it was too late in the season to see it at its best. 

 A visit was paid to the gardens, and amongst other notable 

 things a fine specimen of the tulip tree was seen. Lunch was 

 partaken of in Coldstream by kind invitation of the Earl of 

 Home. 



The Tweed was cros.sed by Coldstream Bridge, and Flodden 

 Field was seen on the right on the way to Ford Castle, per- 

 mission to visit which had been kindly granted by Lord Joicey. 

 A pleasant hour was spent, under the guidance of Mr Gray, in 



