248 TRANSACTIONS OI' KOVAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTLRAL SOCIETY. 



Other countries who have visited Scotland have made a point 

 of inspecting these famous woods. 



For many years Mr Grant Thomson took a most active 

 interest in all branches of the Society's work and was most 

 faithful in his attendance at council and other meetings. On 

 the occasion of the Society's Jubilee in 1904 he was elected to 

 the Honorary Membership, which is the highest honour in the 

 gift of the Society. His genial and helpful nature, and the 

 punctuality with which he attended to every detail of his 

 numerous engagements, deservedly earned for him the esteem 

 and respect of a large circle of friends. 



Mr John Methven. 



By the death of Mr John Methven, which took place on 

 24th May, the Society has lost an old and much-respected 

 member, and Scottish forestry an able and ardent supporter. 

 Mr John Methven was the eldest son of Mr Thomas Methven, 

 the founder of the firm of Thomas Methven & Sons, Nursery- 

 and Seedsmen, Edinburgh, and joined the Society as far back 

 as 1869. In 1883 he became a member of the Council, and 

 in 1892 he was elected to the position of Vice-President. From 

 the first he took a keen interest in the affairs of the Society, 

 and spared no pains to promote its welfare. He served 

 continuously on the Council till his death and sat on numerous 

 Committees, including the Finance Committee, of which since 

 1900 he was Convener. 



Mr Methven took great interest in the first Forestry Exhibition 

 which was held in Edinburgh in 1884, and in connection with 

 it he did much useful work as a member of the Executive 

 Committee. He was also an office-bearer of the Royal 

 Caledonian Horticultural Society, and took an active interest 

 in its affairs and those of the Scottish Horticultural Society. 



On account of his sound knowledge and long practical 

 experience his advice was frequently sought on matters pertaining 

 to the sciences of arboriculture and horticulture. Not many 

 years ago he was asked to advise the Government as to the 

 planting of trees on sandy areas at Barry to afford shelter 

 to the military camping ground. In Mr John Methven, arbori- 

 culture and horticulture have lost an able supporter. 



