Domestic Notices : — Scotland. 531 



of great size, but in full vigour, which is supposed to be the oak described in 

 this charter, being at this day called the King's Oak." {Manning and Bray, 

 vol. iii. p. 141.) 



This oak, which is said still to contain seventeen or eighteen loads of 

 timber, stands upon the waste belonging to the see of Winchester, and, many- 

 years ago (in the time, I believe, of Bishop North), was marked to be felled. 

 The workmen were about to commence, but their hearts failed at the thought 

 of destroying so magnificent a tree ; and one of them, by name Novel (a 

 common name among the labourers hereabouts), proposed adjourning to a 

 neighbouring public-house, to prepare their spirits for the execution, by 

 sundry draughts of ale. These potations continued some time ; and, while they 

 were so engaged, a messenger arrived at full speed to reprieve the tree ! Had 

 not Novel's proposal been assented to, the bark would have been stripped 

 round the trunk, and the tree irrecoverably ruined. From this circumstance, 

 it has always, within my recollection, borne the name of Novel's Oak ; whence 

 Manning and Bray derived their name of King's Oak, 1 know not. — H. L. 

 Long. Hampton Lodge, near Farnham, July, 1837. 



SCOTLAND. 



Highland Society of Scotland. — At the general show of this Society, held 

 at Glasgow, on Sept. 27., the display of agricultural implements, roots, and 

 seeds, was very interesting, from the great quantity exhibited, as compared 

 with former years. Messrs. Peter Lawson and Son, of Edinburgh, displayed 

 an immense variety of seeds, roots, &c. Amongst them was a specimen of 

 Dyer's buckwheat (Polygonum tinctorium), a substitute for indigo. It has 

 been proved that the leaves, which alone are useful, can be grown in this 

 country in abundance. It has been successfully introduced into France, 

 where the government is taking steps to extend its cultivation. The Messrs, 

 Lawson also exhibited two new varieties of Italian ryegrass, remarkable for 

 their bulk and herbage, with two new varieties of annual clover, much 

 superior in bulk of herbage to the Italian clover already known. From the 

 new seed-shop of Messrs. Drysdale and Lawson, in Queen Street, a very 

 fine collection of seeds and plants was produced ; amongst which were rare 

 specimens of barley, wheat, oats, and potatoes. From Messrs. Drummond 

 and Son's Agricultural Museum in Stirling, there w as also a whole warehouse 

 of implements and seeds ; a new variety of Annat barley, with wheats, 

 clover, turnips, and Siberian cow parsnep {Heraclhum sibiricum), grown 

 at Callendar House, 13 ft. high, which is cultivated in Sweden for cows. 

 There were likewise specimens of one hundred and twenty-four varieties of 

 the potato, from seed sown in May, 1837, planted first in June, 1838, by 

 John Gray, gardener, Isiay House; with giant oats, &c., from the shop of 

 Thomas Cleghorn and Co., Edinburgh. Mr. William Skirving, nurseryman, 

 near Liverpool, also showed a great number of turnips of immense size, with 

 a variety of wheats. There were likewise Siberian cow parsneps, grown by 

 Mr. Smith ofWestbank, 12 ft. high. Amongst the agricultural implements, 

 a great variety were shown by Mr, Smith of Deanston, amongst which was a 

 machine for reaping grain. There were also, on the new and spacious ground 

 allotted for the purpose, an immense display of ploughs ; drain ploughs on a 

 new construction, with a windlass for working ; a churning mill, by Mr. Smith 

 of Paisley, and other implements. The display of wool, cheese, and butter, 

 was likewise very attractive. An exceedingly elegant carriage, built by 

 Messrs. John Buchanan and Co., and exhibited in the yard, attracted much 

 notice ; and two very neat tandems also came in for a share of observation. 

 Several specimens of drain tiles were also noticed : those of Mr. John 

 Coulter, Gallowgate, were highly approved. {Edinburgh Evening Coiirant.) 



At the first show here, in 1826, there were 5522 persons who paid for 

 admission; at the second, in 1828, there were 8000; on the 27th instant, 

 the receipts were 846/., which, at a shilling a head, makes the number 16,920. 



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