TO HIS GARDEN1Sft=^=^=^^====^ 25 



the other trees. Whereas if they ripen you '1 take out the 

 Quinces and leave them. As to people not distinguishing 

 one apple or pear from another, I hope all by North Tweed 

 don''t deserve this unsensible character. But there are a world 

 of things not used in Scotld: because not to be had, and if you 

 introduce good kinds such as Nonpariels Kussedines and the 

 like and put them into the hands of a few at Eden: who know 

 the difference, you '1 soon find a demand for all you can have, 

 and by having such you will even get Customers for other 

 things. Depend upon it there are people in Eden: who have 

 taste and if you can once get into the custom of some who 

 have it, will put others upon enquiring where they had good 

 things, and this will hold in your herbs etc. as well as in your 

 fruit. Do you think it possible that there are not Families 

 and Taverns in Eden: that would give reasonably for young 

 pease and Beans in July and Aug* if they could get them. 

 Suppose now you sent a dish of young pease or Beans to any 

 of your Customers when only old are to be had, and desire 

 them to let their acquaintances know you can furnish the like, 

 don't you think they would go off, or if you got into the 

 custom of such as M'^^ Thom who keeps a Tavern, do you 

 believe she would not find people who would be glad of them, 

 and so would take from you. Possibly they may not give such 

 a price as just when first coming coming in, but if you get a 

 price you can afford them at, it does your business. Don't 

 you even think that the people who sell Garden stuff and fruit 

 at Eden: Such as the man ^ who has built a House at Inveresk 

 whose name I have forgot, would deal with you if you could 

 send him in things at uncommon Seasons and better than the 

 common run. All the people in Scotld: are not so void of 

 taste or their other senses as you incline to think them. It is 

 the not being able to get good things which makes people not 

 have them, and if they whose business should lead them to 

 furnish good things, were at more pains in supplying with good 

 at all seasons and to introduce them to some Customers, it 

 would soon take. I remember since little Garden Stuff was to be 

 got to buy at Eden : ^ and Gardiners said why shall we raise 



1 An early notice of the rise of gardening for the Edinburgh market in a dis- 

 trict that has long been noted for this industry. 



2 Topham's Letters from Edinburgh (1774-5) : *The little variety of fruit 



