J34 PETER COLLINSON [1739. 



banks, in your woods, I can't but think it would succeed better ; 

 for thick woods, and the falling leaves, keep off the severe cold. I 

 conceive it would be a good protection to any woody plant, if heaps 

 of dry leaves were heaped up about it, in sharp weather. It would 

 keep the cold from penetrating from above and below ; as for in- 

 stance, if the Tree Sage was protected in this manner. As for the 

 Wood Sage, that goes down every year. I am glad that thee has 

 the Archangel and G-aleopsis; they will endure. 



I do not wonder that neither Rose nor Sweetbriar comes double, 

 like their original. Thee hadst a chance for it. But if thee con- 

 siders, no full double flowers are apt to produce seed some few 

 excepted ; but seed is generally produced from what we call semi- 

 double flowers, and these are the more liable to go to single. 



:: * * * 



I have this day received a letter from Petersburgh ; and am as- 

 sured, per Doctor Ammann, Professor of Botany there, that the 

 Siberian Rhubarb is the true sort. I wish a quantity was produced 

 with you, to try the experiment. Both this and the Rhapontic 

 make excellent tarts, before most other fruits fit for that purpose 

 are ripe. All you have to do, is to take the stalks from the root, 

 and from the leaves ; peel off the rind, and cut them in two or three 

 pieces, and put them in crust with sugar and a little cinnamon ; 

 then bake the pie, or tart : eats best cold. It is much admired 

 here, and has none of the effects that the roots have. It eats most 

 like gooseberry pie. 



Our friend Catesby gives thee many thanks for thy remembrance 

 of him, and for the Papaw blossoms and fruit. 



An acceptable present to Lady Petre, I believe, would be a 

 Humming-bird's nest, with eggs. 



I am obliged to thee for thy care of the Sugar Birch (pray send 

 me a good specimen of it), and for the Laurustinus thee intends 

 me. Pray let it be well grown, and a flowering plant : I am not 

 in haste. The root of the Oak shows what a rich depth of soil you 

 have. 



* * ^ * 



If I write the same things over again, thee must excuse it ; for 

 multitude of affairs divert my memory, and my letters are not worth 

 copying, being mostly writ behind the counter. 



I have procured the other things mentioned in thy order, which 

 I have committed to the care of Lawrence Williams. They are 



