Report of Meetings for 1879, by James Hardy. 33 



After the transaction of business, a walking party was formed, 

 beaded by Mr Topley, wbicb traversed the sea-sbore as far as 

 Howick Burn moutb. Tbe otbers, by means of conveyances 

 kindly furnisbed by Alnwick friends, reaebed tbe same destina- 

 tion by an inland route. From bigb parts of tbis interior road 

 a fine view was obtained of tbe vale of tbe Aln, a portion of x^ln- 

 wick town being visible, and tbe park surmounted by Brizlee 

 bill; and Obeviot lifted its bead bebind afar off. Tbe land 

 about Lesbury is said to be of good quality. Several asb-trees 

 by tbe wayside bave felt tbe evil influence of tbe sea-breeze, and 

 bave become decayed and stag-beaded ; but if properly sheltered, 

 trees will thrive nearer tbe coast than they are usually attempted 

 to be grown. Tbis deficiency of wood near the Northumbrian 

 coast is painfully apparent in the tract between Killingworth and 

 tbe sea, and might be remedied by imitating the examples set in 

 the more northern, and one would naturally expect, more ex- 

 posed parts of the country.'''' Lesbury is a pretty village, snugly 

 embosomed in trees, with trim gardens in front of the houses, 

 glorious with bright Delphiniums, Orange Lilies, and large 

 flowered blue Irises. As Longhoughton is approached, the soil 

 has a poorer aspect, and from tbe frequent wet spots visible on 

 tbe fallow, is evidently undrained. Tbe turnips were a poor late 

 crop. Tbe cottages at Longhoughton bad in front the same good 

 old-established flowers for a decoration as at Lesbury. A halt 

 was made at Longhoughton Hall. Tbe church, with its almost 

 unique Saxon chancel arch, was shewn to the visitors, by the 

 vicar, tbe Eev. L. J. Stephens. Under bis auspices tbe church 

 has lately been renovated and restored, and the work has 

 evidently been carried out in the most careful manner. B3- in- 

 vitation the party inspected the fine and extensive collection of 

 roses cultivated by Mr John Smith, and partook of bis hospitality. 

 Tbe garden is well sheltered with trees. There were two Arau- 

 carias in a thriving state on the lawn. Tbe roses are budded on 

 wild briar stalks, the whole tbe work of Mr Smith. Marecbal 

 Niel flowers with him in the open air, and this continued in 

 blossom till Oct. 21 ; Souvenir de Malmaison and Gloire de Dijon 

 were flourishing. Mr Smith has furnished me with a marked 

 Catalogue of those be has successfully treated (William Paul & 



* Since this was written, I notice that the Duke of Northumberland has 

 granted a number of trees to plant at Earsdon. 



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