72 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



interfering with the existing birch trees. Now there exists on it 

 considerable areas of very flourishing Douglas fir, while small 

 pure plantations of Pinus cenibfa, P. rnonticola, P. strobus, spruce 

 and several other species have been formed. There are also 

 specimens of Tsuga albertiana, Tsuga hookeriana, Abies ?tobilis, 

 A. magmfica, A. gra?idis, Picea oriefifalis, etc. The most striking 

 picture was presented by the Douglas fir, which was flourishing 

 in a most promising way. This is all the more remarkable in 

 view of the elevation. Even at rooo and 1200 feet the trees 

 are growing well, and stand quite firm and storm fast. 



This area aifords a striking example of how a worthless and 

 exhausted birch wood can be transformed into a useful as well 

 as beautiful woodland, without disturbing the amenities in the 

 least at any time ; it also shows clearly the advantages of utilis- 

 ing existing cover for establishing and rearing trees, which, without 

 the cover, might only be reared with difficulty, or not reared at all. 



In the gardens there are many well-grown conifers which were 

 planted between 50 and 60 years ago. They include a Douglas 

 fir, about 70 feet in height and 7 ft. 4 ins. in girth at 5 feet from 

 the ground ; an Abies Loiviana, 50 feet in height ; Abies tnagnijica, 

 50 feet in height and 4 ft. 5 ins. in girth ; and Abies gra?idis, 

 60 feet high and 5 ft, 9 ins. in girth. 



At Abergeldie Castle, which was visited in the afternoon, 

 there are some very large silver firs. They seed themselves 

 very readily. There are extensive areas of young Scots pine 

 (30 to 50 years) near by, which are the most promising of the 

 younger woods of the district. In the eastern portion of 

 Abergeldie, through which the motors passed, there are 

 extensive natural pine woods on Craig-na-baan and Craig- 

 ghuibhais, all of which are equal to the standard of the natural 

 wood already mentioned. At Birkhall, which was reached late 

 in the afternoon, in addition to natural woods there are extensive 

 areas of planted woods both of Scots pine and larch. Many 

 of the old larches near the house are of great size. There are 

 also extensive well-grown woods of larch and of pine, between 

 50 and 60 years old, at elevations of from 1200 to 1400 feet, in 

 Glen Muick and on Craig of Knocks, and at other places. 



Thursday^ June 27///. 



Ballogie. — The estate of Ballogie is situated on the south 

 side of the Dee midway between Aboyne and Banchory. It is 



