1739.] T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 133 



tendance, and covering : so I would advise them to be put into the 

 ground when their severity is over. 



The pretty Spircea, that thee sent me a specimen of in the quire 

 before last, that I doubted if it was of your natural growth, I have 

 now a plant in flower, that Doctor Witt sent me, which shows that 

 it is. 



I have little more to add, but my love and respects. 



I am thy sincere friend, 



P. COLLINSON. 



London, September 2, 1739. 



Dear Friend John : 



In thine of last December, thee seems to doubt if the Medlar is 

 the Neapolitan ; but I do not doubt it. Perhaps the stock, or soil, 

 does not suit it : for they grow here as large as the bottom of a 

 common wine-glass. But thy dislike of the fruit may proceed from 

 not knowing when they are ripe. * * 



The Persimmon, that thee so much commends, is what I never 

 met with from others. But there may be different sorts. That 

 which is ripe in September is fittest for us who lie twelve degrees 

 more to the north than you do. I have in my garden the tallest 

 tree I ever yet saw, sent me some years agone by Doctor Witt. 

 It thrives and grows vigorously, and bears blossoms, but no fruit. 

 But I have seen fruit ripe in England ; but it has but little reputa- 

 tion here, perhaps for the same reason that I assigned for the 

 Medlar. We have now plenty of this tree, in some gardens, which 

 is much admired for its beautiful green leaves. 



In thine of April 1st, thee observes what difficulty there is to 

 raise the White Bryony, which with us is a weed that we can't 

 well get rid of. However, I intend to send more seed, for further 

 trial. With us, it delights to grow on dry banks, that have stunted 

 shrubs growing on them. These it covers, and makes a pretty 

 show, when the berries are ripe. 



I hope thee has better success with the Larch cones sent this 

 year. I have some fine trees of this kind, sent me from Newfound- 

 land. 



I am surprised the Gorse should be killed with your cold, when 

 they grow in the north of England, where the weather is much 

 more severe than in the south. If this was sown on some dry 



