MAY 21 1909 



OBITTJAKY. 



HE death, on 3rd May, of ROBERT F. O. FARQUHAR- 



X SON, Esq., of Haughton, is a great loss to his numerous 

 friends, and not less to the votaries of Natural History in the 

 north-east of Scotland, where his wide and hearty interest in every 

 matter that could promote the welfare of the community won him 

 much esteem. The youngest of five sons, he spent several years 

 in Australia, where he engaged successfully in sheep-farming. 

 Succeeding to the family estate in 1854, he has for many years 

 occupied a prominent position among the gentlemen farmers of 

 Aberdeenshire for his ready appreciation of all that tends to the 

 real advancement of agriculture, as, for example, in the practical 

 advocacy of ensilage. He was a kindly landlord, and showed his 

 strong sympathy with the difficulties of his tenantry during the 

 years of agricultural depression. 



In the parish of Alford he for years took an active part in the 

 work of the School and Parochial Board, and of the Road Trus- 

 tees ; and was also for a time captain of the Alford corps of Rifle 

 Volunteers, and afterwards major of the battalion. 



Though not able to devote much time to the practical pursuit of 

 any special branch of Natural History, owing to the numerous calls 

 upon him of the various natures indicated above, he had a keen 

 desire to stimulate the public interest in Natural Science, and 

 aided willingly in whatever could advance its progress. For 

 some time before his death he was president of the Alford Field 

 Club; and last year he was also President of the East of Scotland 

 Union of Naturalists' Societies at the annual meeting held in 

 Alford, when he and Mrs. Farquharson hospitably entertained the 

 visitors present at the meetings. He showed a strong interest in 

 the investigation of the flora of the district of the Vale of Alford, 

 on which Mrs. Farquharson's scientific pursuits have thrown much 

 light, as evidenced by the pages of this journal. The sympathies 

 of many friends will be with his widow, and with his daughters, 

 by his first marriage, in their sad bereavement. 



T 



