REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1911 348 



rock and water garden, overhung by an umbrageous Cedar 

 of Lebanon, and screened by a hedge of Crimson Rambler 

 Roses, afforded considerable interest though its season was far 

 advanced, and early plants were mostly out of flower. It had 

 been skilfully designed for Alpines, which were quite at home 

 in it, a patch of Gentiana verna, raised from seed, displaying 

 a vigour scarcely surpassed by specimens in tlieir native 

 quarters. The herbaceous borders were all well stocked, and, 

 but for the unusual rigour of the climate on the previous 

 Saturday, would have afforded a display of colour worthy of 

 the middle of July. A wall garden, constructed of the broken 

 surface of a concrete tennis-court, and studded with A.ubrietia, 

 Saxifrage, Broom and Heath, supplied an illustration of the 

 luxuriance in which such plants may be grown, when sufficient 

 care has been bestowed on the preparation and treatment of 

 the soil. Many varieties of forest trees, including Beech, 

 Wych Elm, Oak, Ash, Sycamore and Chestnut, as well as 

 Conifers, adorned the approach and parks, a list of the chief 

 of which, with measurements, is subjoined.^ 



Early mention of Ayton is made in a charter of Waldeve, 

 Earl of Dunbar, about the year 1166, which was signed by 



two members of the house, Helias and Dolfinus 

 Lands of de Eitun. Stephanas de Eyton occurs as a 



Ayton. signatory to a charter de quieta clamatione de 



ter-ra de Swintona, granted by the son of the afore- 



^ Cedrus Lihani, on West of approach ... 9ft. 3in., at 4|ft 



,, ,, in Garden .. ... 9ft. 4in., ,, 



Fagus sylratica, on verge of approach ... 14ft. 3in., ,, 



„ cuprea „ „ ... 7ft., ,, 



Pseudotsuga Douglasii ,, ... 9ft. lOin., ,, 



Abies nohilis, on West of tennis-lawn ... 9ft. 6in., ,, 



(reaching height of upwards of 70 feet) 



Qiiercus rohur, on North approach ... 13ft. 6in., ,, 



(branching at 12 feet) 



Msculus Rippocastanum, South of Castle 18ft. lOin., ,, 



(covering area 27 yards by 24 yards) 



Quercus cerris, South of Castle ... 9ft. 4in., ,, 



Acer Pseudoplatanus ,, ... lift. lOin., ,, 



Fraxinus excelsior „ ... 14ft. Hn., ,, 



Sequoia gigantea ,, ... 9ft. lin., ,, 



„ „ on Long Walk ... 9ft. lOin., „ 

 GG 



