1738.] PETER COL LI NSON. 121 



only time for gathering of seeds the autumnal both in Maryland 

 and Virginia ; and the exceeding mild fall favoured the opportunity 

 upon and between the mountains, whereby I gathered abundance 

 of kinds of seeds in perfection, which have not ripened for several 

 years, because of the early frosts, which came a month or six weeks 

 sooner than they did this year. Indeed, beyond the mountains in 

 Virginia and Pennsylvania, there is a great variety, that I saw ; 

 and the inhabitants say, the ground is covered with delicate beau- 

 tiful flowers in the spring, which are not to be found after hot 

 weather comes on. When I first began to find many curious seeds, 

 I wrapped them up in paper separately, and put them in my 

 leather bags ; but in riding, and shaking, they fretted the paper, 

 and mixed together. So, .afterwards, I gathered all together, as I 

 found them, which I send to you all mixed ; and as they are most 

 of them perennial, I suppose they will do well enough sown toge^ 

 ther. 



I sent, by friend Thomas Bond, a box of turtle eggs, and 

 several roots packed up carefully ; but the captain was so long be- 

 fore he sailed, after he talked of sailing within two or three days, 

 that I am afraid they were damnified. I sent a box of insects, and 

 a jar of Papaw flowers and fruit, which I hope are come safe to 

 hand. This hath been but a scarce year for several kinds of forest 

 seeds, so could not procure several which thee sent for ; but I have 

 made it up, in a great variety of seeds of curious plants which 

 grow between and upon the mountains. Next year, there may be 

 more plenty of several kinds which you want ; so please to let me 

 know what sort will be acceptable : and if you please to order me 

 to New England, next fall, I am not much against it, having 

 health and prosperity also. I should be glad to have letters of re- 

 commendation to thy friends there. 



I received thy letter of July the 10th, with the names of the 

 plants I sent last year, with the seeds and Tulip roots ; all which 

 I am obliged to thee for. I wish there may be some, differing 

 from what we have already; for we have a great variety obtained 

 from the breeders, which we have had these many years. The 

 Red Lily seldom produces above one flower upon a stalk. This 

 year the Medlar bore, which thee sent me for the Neapolitan, 

 but I believe it is the English kind. However, one of our Persim- 

 mons is worth a dozen of them, for goodness in eating, and as big. 

 But we have great variety of them ; some are ripe in the middle of 



