1760.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 223 



garden to make a pond for its reception ; or a river so close by, if 

 more proper for its culture. Prithee, John, never more let me 

 reproach thy want of taste and curiosity in this article. I wish 

 thou could employ some person to gather the seeds when ripe, and 

 put in a bottle of water, with a little sand or earth in its bottom. 

 I conceive, thus preserved, they would come in a growing state to 

 us. This I have mentioned often before ; but roots well packed in 

 a great deal of wet moss, in a box, would do better. 



If I was in thy place, I should spare no pains or expense to be 

 possessed of a curiosity, that none in the province could boast of 

 beside thyself; which thou art ambitious of in other plants in 

 no comparison so charming when in flower. * * 



Dear John, farewell. 



P. Collinson. 



London, June 6, 1760. 



I hope this will find my good friend arrived safe at his own 

 dwelling, from his Carolina expedition. Thine from thence came 

 safe to my hands ; and I thank thy good wife for hers. I have 

 writ largely by Budden ; but, for fear of miscarriage, I write this 

 by way of New York, to inform thee what seeds will be wanting 

 next fall. 



And am thy old friend, 



P. COLLINSON. 



I am charmed, nay, in ecstasy, to see the White Calceolus thee 

 sent me in flower ; with Mountain Laurel, Red Acacia, and 

 Fringetree, and Allspice of Carolina, all in flower together. 



Remember me to Billy, Moses, and Johnny. 



JOHN BARTRAM TO PETER COLLINSON. 



June 24th, 1760. 



Dear Peter : 



I have now my dear worthy Peter's letter before me, of Feb- 

 ruary 10th. I am very sorry that the seeds were damaged by the 

 rotten squash. It seemed, when I put it in the box, to be ripe 

 enough, and I thought to oblige my dear friend with the best sort 



