it is sure to interest. We regret that a much larger collection of these letters 

 has not yet been found. 



Highland Gakden, Aug. 24, 1846. 



My Dear Sir: On my return I found your most kind favor, with the MSS. 

 from Dr. Brinckle, and the colored plate of the raspberry, for which I am truly 

 obliged. But I found also so many back letters to be answered immediately, and 

 so many persons here to interrupt me every day, that I have only now been able 

 to sit down to my own private matters. 



First I, must tell you about the Genesee. We were the guests of Mr. Wads- 

 Vi'orth, and were truly charmed with that, the most beautiful inland country, and 

 finest agricultural country that I ever beheld. Imagine a thousand acres lying 

 before his door of the most beautiful meadow that you ever saw, sprinkled and 

 grouped with three or four thousand of specimen oaks developed on every side, 

 such trees as you have only seen one or two of in your life in America, and you 

 have some notion of the beautiful natural park that I have feasted my eye upon. 

 The trees are all oaks and elms. The "great oak" measures twenty-two feet 

 round, and is eight hundred to one thousand years old ! I was truly proud of 

 this country, and especially of the late Mr. Wadsworth, whose fine perception led 

 him to preserve these trees. They have always stood alone, and were surrounded 

 by forest. The estate of the Wadsworth family in that country is forty thousand 

 acres. 



I was much disappointed in not receiving an account of the perpetual straw- 

 berry from Mr. B. Indeed, I have not yet decided to use the cut of the raspberry, 

 but will write you about it again. Could he not give me a drawing of the orange 

 raspberry ? * * * Yours with regard, 



A. J. DOWNING. 



To J. Jay Smith, Esq., Pliiladelphia. 



Highland Garden, Feb. 19, 1847. 



My Dear Friend: Thanks for your kind favor of the 15th, with the nice note 

 for my domestic notices— just one day too late, however — but will not spoil by 

 keeping. I wish very much that you would make another note, at your leisure, 

 respecting the fine rare trees about Philadelphia that you can call to mind with- 

 out trouble— giving about their height, &c.— such as the Salisburia and Madura, 

 at the Woodlands, the Washington Chestnut and Box, at Judge Peters', the large 

 Yirgilias which you showed me, &c. &c. 



I have sold out all my nursery interest, stock of trees, &c., and am rejoiced at 

 the freedom from ten thousand details, and a very heavy business correspondence, 

 of which I am relieved. I now shall devote my time to literary pursuits alto- 

 gether, and my home grounds, as the nursery stock is gradually withdrawn, 

 to experimental purposes — including a dash more of your favorite arboretum 

 ting. 



