224 PETER COLLINSON [1760. 



I ever ate ; but, I believe misfortune will pursue me to the grave, 

 let my intention and care be ever so good. 



The seeds that I collected on the South Mountains, on the 

 branches of James River, were excellent good. Those that I 

 sowed, are come up as close as they can grow, except the Moun- 

 tain Angelica; which Clayton tells me will never come up : but 

 I hope yet to find him mistaken, though he is a worthy, ingenious 

 man. I took such care to gather the seed in several degrees of 

 ripeness. 



***** 



Dear friend, I am going to build a green-house. Stone is got ; 

 and hope as soon as harvest is over to begin to build it, to put 

 some pretty flowering winter shrubs, and plants for winter's diver- 

 sion ; not to be crowded with orange trees, or those natural to 

 the Torrid Zone, but such as will do, being protected from frost. 



PETER COLLINSOX TO JOHN BARTRAM. 



London, September 15, 17G0. 



I am highly pleased with my friend John's expedition to Caro- 

 lina ; because I know how he would be delighted with the striking 

 beauties of that fine climate. One of the principal, the great 

 Laurel-leaved Magnolia, complimented me this morning with a 

 glorious large white flower ; which I raised from seed about twenty 

 years agone. It is now about sixteen feet high. This fine tree is 

 grown pretty common, and flowers in several places ; but will 

 never arrive to the height they do in their native country ; for 

 they go much into flowering, and that checks the growth. 



The Atamasco Lily has flowered often with me ; but thou sees 

 how plants that are most common, are neglected by those that see 

 them every day. They are like our wild Daffodils in our fields no 

 one regards them ; but a person of thy curiosity, who never saw them 

 before, would admire them. But thou must not accuse Catesey, 

 for he has figured the Atamasco Lily. * * 



By the success thou hast had with the seeds from the South 

 Mountains, thou sees plainly how they are impaired by transpor- 

 tation ; for very few come up with us. * * 



I am pleased thou will build a green-house. I will send thee 

 seeds of Geraniums to furnish it. They have a charming variety, 



