the Manuscripts of the late Peter Collinson. 477 
heights of this famous plantation, whose beginning is so certainly 
known. 
By a letter (November 28th, 1762,) from Thomas Knowlton, 
gardener to the Duke of Devonshire at his seat of Londesburgh 
near York, and director of His Grace’s new kitchen-garden, 
stoves, &c., at Chatsworth, I am informed that the Duke of 
Devonshire is now sowing seventy quarters of acorns, that is, 560 
bushels; an immense quantity: but this year there was the greatest 
crop of acorns ever remembered. Besides this vast sowing, some 
hundred thousands of young seedling oaks are planting out this 
winter: between forty and fifty men are employed about this 
work. In the year 1761, as many oaks were transplanted from. 
the nursery, of two, three, and four years old. 
1761. Ourlast winter, if it may be called so, exceeded for 
mildness 1759. The autumnal flowers were not gone before 
spring began in December with aconites, snowdrops, polyan- 
thuses &c., and continued without any alloy of intervening. 
sharp frosts, all January, except two or three frosty nights and 
mornings: a more delightful season could not be enjoyed in 
southern latitudes. In January and February my garden was 
covered with flowers. 
This summer, 1762; I was visiting Mr. Wood, of Littleton, 
Middlesex. He showed me a curiosity which surprised me. 
On a little slender twig of a peach-tree about four inches 
long, that projected from the wall, grew a peach, and close 
to it, on the other side of the twig, a nectarine. This Mr. 
Miller also assured me he had himself known, although not men- 
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