3B.t)obotientiron ^octetp 
RHODODENDRONS AT KIL]VIACURRAGH. 
Contributed by The Rt. Hon. The Marquess of Headfort. 
Owing to the War I regret my notes must of necessity be curtailed, but 
perhaps a short description of my visit last May to Kilmacurragh will be of 
interest. 
There exists at Kilmacurragh, Co. Wicklow, a very fine collection of most 
of the half-hardy shrubs and trees that were introduced about the middle and 
towards the end of last century, and I suppose some of the biggest specimens in 
the United Kingdom of Rhododendrons which were introduced during the time 
of the late Sir J. Hooker, amongst these the best specimens are :— 
R. Falconeri, R. eximeum, R. Shepherdii, R. barbatum, R. lanatum, 
R. CAMPYLOCARPUM, R. Keysii, R. triflorum, R. Campbellii, R. niveum, 
R. ARBOREUM (Crimson form), R. argenteum, R. Hodgsonii. 
Nearly all these have grown to a great size, for instance :— 
R. Falconeri 25 ft. by 20 ft.; R. eximeum, 15 ft. by 12 ft.; R. barbatum, 
15 ft. high ; R. Campbellii, 20 ft. high ; R. arboreum (Crimson form), 25 ft. 
to 30 ft. high. 
Other plants which have thrived in this very favourable climate and 
soil are ;— 
Libocedrus tetragona, 15 ft. high; eucalyptus gunnii, 35 ft. high; 
Tricuspidaria lanceolata, 25 ft. high; Ilex Perado, 25 ft. high; Pieris formosa, 
15 ft. high; Podocarpus nubigena, 25 ft. high; Drimys Winteri, 35 ft. high; 
Magnolia Campbellii, 30 ft. high; Philadelphus mexicanus. 
For specimens of Conifers I suppose the Abies grandis was one of, if not 
the finest in Ireland, and which, alas, was blown down in the northerly gale 
last December. The height this tree had attained was about 100 feet, the 
girth at the butt was fully 18 feet. 
There is a magnificent specimen of Tsuga Albertiana at least 110 feet, and the 
three species of Athrotaxis are about the finest specimens, I suppose, in the 
United Kingdom; Embothrium coccineum, measuring about 60 feet through, 
is about 30 to 40 feet high. 
I hope next year to give a fuller description of this exceedingly interesting 
collection. 
HEADFORT. 
March 2n(i, 1918. 
158 
