594- Recollections of a Gardening Tour. 



was a good crop, and the grapes which we saw in the graperies 

 obtained afterwards the first prize at the Caledonian horticul- 

 tural show in September. The floors of the vineries are covered 

 with large pebbles, we suppose, to reflect heat and retain mois- 

 ture, and the plants are frequently watered with liquid manure ; 

 but on this subject the gardener, Mr. Cathie, has promised us an 

 article. The only deficiency which we saw about the place was, 

 a want of gravel in the walks of the pleasure-grounds, in conse- 

 quence of which their edges were too deep and raw. Adjoining 

 the kitchen-garden are the remains of the old church of Loggie, 

 which, with its bell turret, forms a very picturesque and venerable 

 object from various parts of the grounds. Much might be said 

 on this ruin, the burying-ground which surrounds it, and Ellen 

 Smith, the last of her race, who lives in a cottage near it; but 

 to do the subject justice would require more time and room 

 than we can at present spare, and we therefore refer to Cham- 

 bers's Journal for 1841, and to the Ladies' Magazine of Gar- 

 dening, vol. i. p. 323. 



Deanston; Smith, Esq. This gentleman not being in 



the country was to us a great disappointment. We saw through 

 the works, which are executed in the most substantial manner, 

 and liberally couducted with a view to the good of all con- 

 cerned. Even the workmen are spared the degradation of 

 paying the rent of their cottages weekly, which is the case in 

 other parts of Scotland, and in various parts of England. 

 There is a room containing 300 looms ; it is 45 yards broad, 

 68 yards long, lighted by 24 skylights. The looms and all the 

 other works are driven by an overshot water-wheel 36 ft. in 

 diameter, and equal to a power of 360 horses. The flat roof of 

 the room is covered with grass, and either was, or is intended 

 to be, grazed by sheep. 



Keir; Stirling, Esq. An extensive place, well wooded, 



and commanding fine views. We were prevented from seeing 

 it so effectually as we could have wished from the continued 

 rain. The evergreens were remarkably luxuriant; and, indeed, 

 the whole place appears rather overgrown by them. Mr. Niven, 

 the gardener, occupies a very good house. 



Blair- Drummond ; Drummond, Esq. This place has 



long been celebrated, as having been laid out by Lord Karnes, 

 and also for His Lordship's improvements in the Flanders Moss. 

 We thought it a most delightful place when we first saw it, in 

 1800, and so we do still; but it is rather overgrown with wood, 

 and cannot be a healthy place to live at. There is, or appeared 

 to us to be, a far greater extent of pleasure-ground and garden 

 scenery kept up than can be done justice to. There are a great 

 many fine trees, and especially oaks, beeches, and Scotch pines, 

 the dimensions of which, with their ages, the soil in which they 

 grow, and other particulars, are given by the very intelligent 



