RtePOt?TS OF MEETINGS FOR 1909 21 



In regard to the foi-m of its bole the ti-ee is mis-shapen, having 

 probably been denuded of its natural covering through the 

 removal of surrounding soil, in consequence of which its nether 

 girth greatly exceeds that at the usual level of measure- 

 ment, as the following figures indicate, namely, 26 feet 6 inches 

 at surface of ground ; 1 6 feet 6 inches at 4 feet ; and 1 4 feet 

 8 inches at 6 feet. It has attained a height of nearly 60 feet, 

 and shows a weeping habit especially in its lower branches. 

 It bears the mark of the destruction of a large limb which 

 detracts from its otherwise graceful appearance. The thr-ee- 

 lobed leaves were only in process of being unsheathed. A walk 

 round the lake which covers an area of 16 acres and originally 

 extended Westward to the Greenlaw road, led through Dundock, 

 a portion of woodland copiously planted with Rhododendron, 

 many of which had suffered from the prevailing early frosts. 

 Returning to the Garden Policy the attention of members 

 was directed to a noble Sycamore girthing 16 feet 11 inches 

 at 4 feet from the ground, as well as to a clump of four 

 Oaks describing the figure of a cross, of which design no 

 certain explanation was forthcoming. Throughout the grounds 

 the Double Meadow Saxifrage ( Saxifraga granulata ji. pi.) 

 appeared to be naturalized. Iberis amara and Senecio teniii- 

 folius, already reported, were not gathered. As the party 

 approached the mansion-house, they were courteously received 

 by the Earl of Home, who in welcoming them expressed the 

 hope that they might have a pleasant and profitable visit ; 

 and escorting them to the North of the building drew attention 

 to a splendid Oak, measuring 13 feet 8 inches at 4| feet, 

 which, after suffering injury at the hands of miscreants, afforded 

 illustration of Nature's healing influence in alliance with the 

 somewhat rare art of expert forestry. Mention must also be 

 made of a handsome specimen of Thujo^jsis borealis, planted on 

 the lawn in 1874, and of a Sycamore on Dial Knowe, which 

 girthed 17 feet 9 inches at 4|^ feet. With the concurrence 

 of their host, members were permitted to view the recently 

 built private chapel, which preparatory to Whitsuntide was 

 beautifully adorned with Liliums and other pot plants. The 

 building is commodious and tastefully decorated, its light 

 rood-screen and exquisitely toned drapings testifying to the 



