By the demise of the late lamented Mr Wilkie, the responsible post of head bailiff of the Park recently fell to the disposal of the authorities. It affords us no small pleasure to-day to be able to inform our readers, more especially those of them who take a practical interest in the Park and its future, that the authorities have exercised the trust placed in their hands in a way that does credit alike to their impartiality and their practical discrimination. As is always the case when there is a thing of the kind to give away, the number who suddenly become conscious of their practical knowledge and fitness for the post was quite marvellous. We understand the number of applicants was exceedingly numerous, the claims and fitness of the vast majority to fill the post being doubtless of the most imaginative or shadowy character. Military men suddenly found they could as fitly direct the operations of the pruning-hook as of the sword, and civilians, to whom gardening and woodcraft were hitherto myths, and a tree a tree, but certainly "nothing more," quickly became gifted with much knowledge of the two first, and quite a rare appreciation of the beauty and value of the latter.

"Than a tree, A grander child earth bears not".

Well, however, notwithstanding the personal convictions of so many of the fitness of the post for them, and no doubt high character and much influence, a practical man eminently qualified for the post, Mr Charles M'Donald, so long and favourably known in connection with Colonel Tighe's magnificent residence, Co. Kilkenny, has been selected to fill it.

Than Mr M'Donald we do not think a better selection could be made. Thoroughly practical and experienced as a horticulturist, absolutely enthusiastic in his love of trees, and as regards the advancement of arboriculture, and at the same time possessing a refined and cultivated taste, he is the right man in the right place. We congratulate Mr M'Donald most sincerely on his well-deserved promotion, and those who, waiving other considerations, gave to those of practical fitness the weight they should always have in appointments of the kind. We have no doubt that all who may be brought into contact with Mr M'Donald will find him, as we have ever found him, most kind, courteous, and obliging. We do not know at all whether they come within his sphere of action, but somehow or other we have hopes from his appointment that, as well as in the Park, "arboriculture in the garrison" will look up, and the "poor trees" in the Military Esplanade be no longer its opprobrium.

We are also gratified to learn that Mr M'Donald is to be succeeded at Woodstock by Mr M. Matheson, who has been for many years gardener to the Marquess of Exeter, and who, we believe, is one of the ablest gardeners at present in England. - Irish Farmers' Gazette.

[We cordially endorse every word of the above in regard to our old friend and correspondent Mr M'Donald. All who have visited Woodstock Park have had ample proof of Mr M'Donald's genius, for what he has done there entitles him to credit for this quality in no small degree; he stepped boldly beyond his profession as a gardener, and added that of architect, and the results prove that he had not overestimated his ability. The winter terrace-garden at Woodstock is the most unique thing of the sort in the three kingdoms, and is entirely the work of our friend, both in design and execution. Its massive architectural walls, sculptured granite vases and urns, would do credit to our best architects. The rockworks, Conifers, especially the Araucarias, and many other striking features of the fine place he leaves, will bear lasting testimony to his enthusiasm as a landscape-gardener, as well as to the munificence of his employers].