156 
August  13, 1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Nowhere  in  each  branch  of  gardening  as  found  in  vegetable,  fruit* 
and  flower  culture  was  such  excellent  work  done  in  a  small  garden  as 
good  as  could  have  been  under  similar  conditions  done  by  the  best' 
professional  gardeners  in  the  kingdom.  The  place  was,  from  a  purely 
garden  aspect,  a  little  paradise.  The  crops  of  all  descriptions — and  most 
ordinary  crops  were  well  represented — were  as  good  as  they  well 
could  be. 
Under  our  system  of  point  judging  in  Surrey  Mr.  Walker  obtained  for 
his  vegetable  and  fruit  garden  132  marks,  for  his  flower  garden  thirty- 
eight,  and  for  his  window  box  sixteen,  a  total  of  186.  That  is  exception¬ 
ally  high  pointing,  and  probably  many  judges  in  moments  of  enthusiasm 
over  what  was  to  be  seen  would  have  been  even  more  liberal.  Those  of 
us  whose  work  in  this  direction  ranges  over  an  entire  county  find  here 
and  there  some  most  beautiful  gardens,  and  we  get  accustomed  to  them, 
yet  meet  only  very  rarely  with  anything  that  can  excel  or  equal  what 
Mr.  Walker  furnishes  in  his  garden  every  year. 
Should  there  be  established  in  the  county  a  silver  medal  or  champion 
class  for  cottage  gardens  (apart  from  allotments,  for  one  of  which 
162  marks  of  merit  were  recorded),  the  gardens  of  the  asylum  attendant 
at  Upper  Coulsdon  ;  of  the  estate  woodman,  H.  Brown,  at  Sidlow,  near 
Reigate,  who  with  flowers  pointed  up  to  137  ;  and  the  bricklayer, 
W.  Wellman,  of  Banstead,  whose  superb  and  larger  garden  pointed  up 
to  146,  will  have  to  be  in  the  running.  Splendid  cottage  gardeners  as 
these  men  are,  however,  they  are  mere  tyros  at  paper  exams.  Whilst 
the  dons  are  writing  how  to  do,  these  men  are  practically  showing  how 
they  do  it. — A.  D. 
ROYAL  SCOTTISH  ARBORICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
The  above  Society  held  its  annual  excursion  on  Tuesday  and  Wednes¬ 
day  last.  The  annual  business  meeting  was  held  on  Monday  in  the 
Lecture  Hall,  Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh ;  Mr.  D.  F.  Mackenzie, 
Morton  Hall,  presided.  The  Society  had  the  honour  of  welcoming  Pro¬ 
fessor  Schwappaoh,  of  Eberawalde,  Prussia,  who  is  the  greatest  authority 
on  Sylviculture  in  Germany.  It  was  through  his  tact  and  courtesy  the 
Scottish  Society  had  such  a  pleasant  time  in  Germany  last  year.  The 
following  important  recommendations  by  the  Council  were  approved  : — 
Consulting  Botanist,  Professor  Balfour  ;  Consulting  Chemist,  Dr.  A.  P. 
Aitken  ;  Consulting  Entomologist,  Mr.  McDougall  ;  Consulting 
Meteorologist,  Mr.  Mossman  ;  Consulting  Cryptogamist,  Dr.  Sommer- 
ville.  Professor  Schwappach  read  a  paper  on  “  Density  and  Sylvicul¬ 
ture,”  which  was  a  most  important  one,  and  described  briefly  the  differ¬ 
ence  betwixt  English  and  German  arboriculture.  Mr.  A.  C.  Forbes, 
Wood  Manager,  Bowood,  Wilts,  also  read  a  paper,  “  Is  British  Forestry 
Progressive  ?  ’’  which  was  well  discussed. 
On  the  first  day  of  the  excursion  the  greater  part  of  the  company, 
which  numbered  over  100,  left  Edinburgh  at  7.6  a.m.  for  Stirling. 
After  breakfasting  at  the  Station  Hotel  the  party  were  in  their  carriages 
by  9  A.M.,  and  drove  straight  to  Airthrey  Castle,  the  seat  of  Donald 
Graham,  Esq,,  one  of  Glasgow’s  greatest  merchants.  Airthrey  is  full  of 
interesting  history.  It  was  formerly  the  seat  of  the  Abercrombies  for 
about  a  century.  The  present  mansion,  erected  in  1791,  is,  from  an 
architectural  point  of  view,  very  beautiful. 
Mr.  John  Murray,  head  forester ;  Mr.  Dempster,  factor ;  and  Mr. 
Rutherford,  head  gardener,  met  the  party,  and  conducted  them  over  the 
estate.  There  are  some  very  fine  trees  near  the  mansion.  Hard  woods 
are  generally  speaking  good,  but  they  are  grouped  together.  Ash,  Oaks, 
and  Limes  were  all  worthy  of  mention  ;  but  what  attracted  most 
attention  was  a  plantation  called  the  Hermitage,  which  had  been 
replanted  about  twenty-seven  years  ago,  and  it  had  only  been  thinned 
about  six  or  seven  years  ;  this  caused  much  comment,  as  the  treatment 
is  so  different  in  Germany.  The  trees  were  principally  Limes  and 
Sycamores,  Ashes,  and  Oaks.  The  Sycamores  and  Limes  were  doing 
exceptionally  well,  some  of  the  latter  were  30  to  40  feet  high  each. 
They  were  about  three  years  old  when  planted.  Larch  was  also  planted, 
but  the  disease  was  very  bad,  the  fungus  Peziza  Wilkomi  being  very 
prevalent.  Professor  Schwappach  was  emphatic  about  the  denser  or 
thicker  planting  of  trees,  especially  Sycamores,  being  preferable,  as  by 
that  means  there  are  not  so  many  knots  in  the  timber.  From  here  at  a 
lofty  eminence,  300  feet,  in  these  woods  a  splendid  view  is  got  of  the 
River  Forth,  the  Pentland  hills,  Stirling  Castle,  Wallace’s  monument, 
Alloa,  and  the  field  of  Bannockburn.  It  is  a  charming  combination  ot 
wood  and  water. 
Keib. 
On  leaving  Airthrey  we  proceeded  by  way  of  Bridge  of  Allen,  where 
there  are  some  noted  mineral  springs  and  some  well-known  hydropathic 
establishments,  Keir  being  quickly  reached.  On  the  approach  to  the 
Castle  there  is  a  fine  Lime  avenue,  in  which  the  trees  are  about  20  feet 
apart  and  have  a  height  40  to  50  feet.  Irish  Yews  were  numerous  and 
very  good.  A  fine  Pinus  pinsapo  attracted  attention,  being  between 
30  to  36  feet  high.  Mr.  Tbos.  Lunt,  the  head  gardener,  acted  as  cicerone, 
and  took  every  pains  so  that  the  party  could  see  everything  t oat  was 
worth  seeing. 
The  Conifer  80  were  splendid,  and  considered  the  best  in  Scotland  ; 
Picea  macrocarpa  was  60  feet.  We  now  come  to  the  balcony  which  is 
on  the  eastern  side,  and  on  which  Conifeite  are  numerous,  and  planted 
with  great  skill  and  taste  by  the  late  Sir  Wm.  Stirling.  Against  the 
wall  of  the  house  is  Cupressus  sempervirens,  the  Roman  Cypress.  This 
has  a  fine  effect.  It  is  clipped  once  a  year,  and  the  dense  dark  green 
colour  contrasts  well  with  the  mason’s  work.  A  fine  specimen  of 
Cupressus  thuioldes  was  observed,  and  a  Spanish  Chestnut  supposed  to 
be  over  600  years  old.  Thujopsis  dolabrata,  the  first  that  was  ever 
planted  in  this  country,  also  rivetted  much  attention  from  the  arborists. 
There  were  fine  plants  of  Cedrus  Libani  and  Juniperus  recurva  ;  the 
latter  was  a  splendid  specimen. 
Here  are  embattled  hedges  similar  to  a  castellated  wall,  and  give  a 
unique  and  charming  appearance.  They  consisted  principally  of  Yews 
and  Golden  Hollies.  There  are  altogether  on  this  estate  nine  miles  of 
such  charming  walks.  The  Italian  garden  contains  statuary  and 
rare  specimens  of  Coniferm.  The  Princess  Louise,  in  a  recent  visit, 
declared  it  to  be  the  finest  specimen  of  Italian  gardening  in  this  country. 
The  flower  garden  was  aglow  with  Begonias,  which  seem  to  do  very  well 
here.  We  saw  near  to  here  the  first  Larch  that  was  planted  in  Scotland, 
which  it  is  said  was  stolen  out  of  a  cart  that  was  taking  some  to  plant  at 
Dunkeld.  Crytomeria  japonica  was  40  by  23  feet  through.  A  grand  Picea 
nobilis  was  next  noticed,  A  Box  hedge,  and  a  Cryptomeria  elegans 
running  together  made  a  fine  and  striking  contrast.  A  fine  Larch  was 
80  feet  high  by  12  feet  9  inches  in  circumference.  Picea  grandis  and 
Cembra  next  attracted  particular  attention.  Pinus  Douglas!  were 
making  good  growths,  many  of  them  making  3  feet  6  inches  of  growth 
each  year.  Sir  Wm.  Stirling  was  an  enthusiast  in  tree  planting,  and 
exhibited  both  skill  and  good  judgment. 
The  kitchen  garden  is  of  3  acres  extent.  Apples  were  doing  exceed* 
ing  well,  and  included  the  usual  culinary  varieties.  We  had  only  a 
hurried  inspection  of  this  department,  but  everything  bore  the  impress 
that  Mr.  J.  Lunt  is  an  experienced  cultivator.  We  saw  here  the  first 
plant  of  Thujopsis  dolabrata  imported  from  Japan.  A  fine  Larch  was 
here  11  feet  6  inches  in  girth  and  60  feet  high.  Some  new  vineries  were 
planted  recently,  including  Muscat  and  Black  Hamburgh.  It  was  the 
second  year,  and  the  bunches  were  3  to  4  lbs.  each.  The  Ferns  and 
foliage  plants  are  a  special  feature  at  Keir,  and  as  they  are  often  exhibited 
it  was  well  known  in  the  gardening  world  what  Mr.  Lunt  can  produce. 
The  following  are  among  the  specimens  ; — Kentia  Belmoreana,  Kentia 
Fosteriana,  Alocasia  metallica,  Anthurium  crystallinum,  Alocasia 
macrorhiza,  Aralia  Veitchiana,  Anthurium  Veitchi,  Crotons  Queen 
Victoria,  Chelsoni,  Disraeli,  Cycas  revoluta,  Areca  lutescens,  all  grand 
specimens.  A  fine  house  of  Calanthes  vestita  and  Veitchiana  were 
inspected  and  promise  well.  Chrysanthemums  are  grown  extensively, 
and  intended  to  be  exhibited  at  Edinburgh,  and  if  they  do  as  well  as 
they  look  now  they  will  be  bad  to  beat. 
Leading  from  here  is  a  rare  walk,  planted  with  Box  and  Thuja 
gigantea,  which  make  a  splendid  shade.  A  Kentia  was  planted  on 
a  large  bed,  carpeted  with  Gladioli  hrenchleyensis,  which  had  a  good 
effect.  Near  to  here  is  an  interesting  flower  garden,  where  Golden 
Yew  was  grafted  on  the  Irish  Yew ;  the  effect  was  extremely  pretty. 
The  views  from  the  garden  are  extremely  fine,  commanding  as  they  do 
a  view  of  Ben  Lomond,  Ben  Ledi,  Stirling  Castle,  and  the  Firth  of 
Forth.  The  home  farm  was  next  visited.  It  is  noted  for  the  excellent 
Shorthorns  and  Clydesdale  horses,  and  the  buildings  are  modern, 
and  cost  over  £9000.  The  home  nursery  contains  many  thousands  of 
seedlings  in  all  stages  of  growth.  Mr.  Young,  factor,  and  Mr.  M.  Mlllan, 
the  forester,  were  present  here,  pointing  out  all  that  was  of  importance 
to  the  party. 
The  carriages  were  entered  again,  and  the  party  proceeded  to  Doune 
Castle,  which  is  an  old  historic  place,  and  the  property  of  the  Earl  of 
Moray.  After  inspecting  the  ancient  ruins,  the  party  were  photographed, 
and  then  proceeded  to  the  hotel  to  a  most  sumptuous  luncheon,  provided 
by  the  Earl  of  Moray,  which  was  much  enjoyed.  A  hearty  vote  of 
thanks  to  his  lordship  was  given,  which  was  responded  to  by  Mr. 
McLachlan,  the  factor  on  the  estate.  After  luncheon  the  carriages  was 
again  entered,  and  a  quick  drive  brought  the  party  to 
Blaie  Drummond' 
Mr.  Ballingal!,  the  factor,  was  in  attendance,  and  Mr.  D.  King,  forester, 
piloted  the  party  over  this  fine  estate.  Some  splendid  Beech 
16  feet  3  inches  in  girth  were  examined,  as  also  were  some  Oak, 
12  feet  4  ;  Spanish  Chestnut,  10  feet  9  ;  and  some  magnificent  copper 
coloured  Beeches.  The  grounds  and  policies  are  extensive  on  this  estate, 
and  the  woods  in  excellent  order.  Larch  is  grown  extensively.  The 
river  Teith  winds  through  the  grounds,  and  the  effect  is  picturesque. 
.  After  a  brisk  drive  again  the  party  proceeded  to  Lanrick,  the  seat  of 
Sir  Robert  Jardine,  Bart.  Here  refreshments  were  provided,  which  the 
party  very  much  enjoyed.  Mr.  James  Begg,  head  gardener,  showed  the 
party  round,  and  pointed  out  several  Abies  Albertiana,  60  to  62  feet, 
planted  by  him  from  seed  sown  also  by  him  1861  ;  the  girth  was  4  feet 
10  inches  to  6  feet.  Abies  Menziesi  was  15  feet,  girth  4  feet 
7  inches,  This  was  also  sown  here  from  seed  gathered  in  North 
America  by  the  owner’s  brother.  Abies  Douglasi  was  at  home  here, 
Cupressus  Lawsoniana  were  destroyed  by  the  storm  in  1893.  A  black 
Italian  Poplar  was  pointed  out,  100  feet  high.  This  wood  is  now  valuable, 
woodcarvers  offering  as  much  as  6s.  per  foot  for  it,  and  several  Oaks  were 
measured  10  to  12  feet,  one  nearly  13  feet  in  circumference.  One  Beech 
was  16  feet  1  inch,  and  another  one  18  feet  9  inches  in  girth,  33  yards 
across,  and  supposed  to  contain  150  feet  of  wood. 
The  garden  was  briefly  inspected ;  Carnations  were  grown  exten¬ 
sively.  The  flower  garden  is  a  neat  geometrical  design.  The  party 
entered  their  carriages  and  drove  quickly  to  Callander,  to  the  Dread¬ 
nought  Hotel,  where  the  annual  dinner  was  held.  Professor  Bailey 
Balfour  was  in  the  chair.  Professor  Schwappach’s  health  was  drunk 
with  great  enthusiasm.  This  concluded  the  first  day’s  excursion. — 
Bernard  Cowan,  F^R.HiS.’ 
