1737.] TOJOHNBARTRAM. 99 



a great deal more of its cones. It is a fine plant ; and when the 

 wind turns up the silver side of its leaves, it has a pretty effect. 

 As to the Bay Laurel, called Ivy [Kalmia, L.], it is in vain to 

 send any of its seed (unless soon as gathered sown in a box of 

 mould) ; for it is so small and chaffy, it will not keep. I have had 

 a great deal from Virginia ; but none grows. There is no way so 

 good as plants. I have sufficient for myself; but Lord PETRE.may 

 want some. But a year or two hence may do. I am afraid a like 

 fate will attend the seed of that noble Laurel thou discovered near 

 the Blue Mountains. A cargo of growing plants will be a rarity 

 worth accepting. Next time, thou must try what thou canst do. 



First, get a strong cargo of young plants into thy garden. Pray 

 make it thy business this fall ; and when they have stood a year, 

 and drawn root, they may with more safety be sent, as opportunity 

 offers. 



I received very safe, thy two boxes by Captain Lindsay. The 

 bulbous roots came all in very good order ; seem singular odd 

 plants. I shall give thee Doctor Dillenius's opinion of them, 

 when he has seen them. I am much obliged to thee for them. 



I have not yet had time to examine thy map up Schuylkill, and 

 all the other curious things in that box ; but I shall do it first 

 opportunity. Nothing that thou sends is lost or forgot with me. 



But one thing I must tell thee, while I think on it : that I 

 admire thou has not given me directions in what nature thou 

 would have the twenty guineas remitted, for the last cargo. Thou 

 loses time. Certainly the money, or money's worth, would be 

 very useful to thee. If to draw on me for it in money will be 

 most advantageous to thee, do it ; for it is entirely equal to me in 

 what manner thee art paid. 



As I have been up and down in the country, I could not forget 

 my friend John, but have collected a variety of seeds ; possibly 

 some will be acceptable. They will have this use, to help thee to 

 know our wild plants. I would advise thee to sow them all, as 

 soon as thou receives them. Prepare a fresh bed of good mould ; 

 lay it out regular, and sow the seeds in rows, at a foot or more 

 distant ; mark each row with a number, and to that number in thy 

 book, write the name. Keep the bed nicely clean from weeds; for 

 suffering them to grow is the reason that many small seeds are 

 choked and lost ; and observe never to disturb a bed till after the 

 second spring ; for some seeds lie two seasons. I have sent thee 



