September 24, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
761 
Rossie Priory, 
the Scottish seat of the Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird, is 
beautifully situated on the braes of the Cars© of Cowrie, and 
on the occasion of a recent visit was looking a veritable land¬ 
scape picture. We were courteously conducted over the place 
by Mr. McKiddie, the head gardener, whom we met in the 
vicinity of the mansion, which is dated 1807, and is an imposing 
pile in Gothic architecture. A conservatory of that period 
has since been converted into' an effective fernery, in which 
Ferns planted in rockwork luxuriate amid miniature streams, 
waterfalls, fountains, and sprays, admirable shade being pro¬ 
vided by the climbers on the roof, among which we noticed 
Fuchsia coccinea, now' a link with the past. At Mr. McKiddie’s 
suggestion we took a walk up the Cedar terrace, where a 
splendid view can be had of thei well-wooded parks of the 
policies and the fertile valley of the Tay, while an extensive 
magmfica, planted in 1868, commemorates the passing of the 
deform Bill. Abies grandis, planted, in 1900, marks the dale 
of the silver wedding of the lord and lady of the manor ; while 
near by, Abies nobilis marks: the coming of age of their oldest 
son and heir. A number of others might be mentioned did 
time and space permit, but enough has been said to demon¬ 
strate the vigour, health, and beauty of these oonifera when 
interspersed judiciously (as they are here) with copper Beech 
and other ornamental deciduous: trees. 
The flower garden, of which we give a view, is situated on 
a gentle slope and terrace surrounded with a Yew hedge. As 
will be seen from the photograph, the central beds are edged 
with Cable, and are very effectively tilled with the usual 
summer bedding subjects. A refreshing nook is to be found 
at the little pond and fountain, which is edged and broken up 
with rockwork planted with some choice hardy Ferns and sub- 
The Flower Garden, Rossie Priory, Inchture. 
view of Glenfarg and the Lomond Hills can be had gratis in 
the distance. 
The grounds are sheltered from the north by ai well-wooded 
bill, and while containing some valuable old timber trees, 
such as Ash, Oak, Elm, and Beech, their main feature lies in 
the choice variety of trees and shrubs, planted since 1840. A 
veritable giant of Abie® Douglasii, planted in 1843, was pointed 
out with pardonable pride, the trunk measuring 16 ft. in 
circumference 6 ft. from the ground, while the spreading 
branches sweep the ground and cover a circumference of 200 ft. 
Sequoia gigantea and S. sempervirens also doi well; a speci¬ 
men, of the latter planted in 1846 measures 15 ft. in circum¬ 
ference 5 ft. from the ground. Picea, Thuyas, Cupressus, 
Cedrus and Cryptomeria are well represented in a thriving 
condition,, while beautiful and healthy trees are to be found 
amongst Abies, notably A. nordmanniana,, A. nobilis, P eudo- 
tsuga Douglasii 1 , Tsugai albertiana, T 1 . pattoniana, Picea 
morinda, A. lasiocorpa, A. grandis, and A. magnifica. 
We noticed a number of tree® of historical interest. Abies 
.tropical plants, forming a charming contrast to the bright 
colouring in the flower garden hard by. 
The kitchen garden is 4 acre® in extent. Here also order 
and management reign supreme. Crops were looking well, 
the first sowing of Peas ready for table, as well as abundance 
of Cauliflower, Cabbage, and other seasonable vegetables, both 
ready for use and succession in future. 
Fruit Crop.—The prospect here is bright. Apples are look¬ 
ing splendid, but Pears have failed to set anything like an 
average crop. Small fruits, such as Gooseberries, Raspberries, 
Strawberries and Black Currants promise well, while White 
and Red Currants are almost a failure. A herbaceous border 
runs the entire width of the garden ; one-half lias been re¬ 
planted this year. Mr. MoKiddie lias adopted the massing 
system, which will have: a telling effect later on. Another 
parallel border, filled with early-flowering Chrysanthemums 
and Geraniums, will make a bold display. 
There are two extensive ranges of glasshouses. The vineries, 
five in number, are in the front range, where the Vines are 
