510 DOCTOR FOTHERGILL [1773. 



to send over boxes of seeds as usual. He collected them with 

 much care, and they mostly gave satisfaction. W. Young has 

 been very diligent, but has glutted the market with many common 

 things ; as the Tulip trees, Robinias, and the like. But, contrary 

 to my opinion, he put them into the hands of a person who, to 

 make the most of them, bought up, I am told, all the old American 

 seeds that were in the hands of the seedsmen here, and mixed 

 them with a few of W. Young's, to increase the quantity. Being 

 old and effete, they did not come up ; and have thereby injured his 

 reputation. I am sorry for him ; have endeavoured to help him ; 

 but he is not discreet. 



The Insects should be put into the box as dry as may be ; and 

 the box itself should also be well dried, either in the sun, or be- 

 fore a good fire. They are apt to be mouldy for want of this little 

 caution, and soon perish. 



Having proceeded thus far, I shall conclude this before I leave 

 the country ; and add what may be farther necessary, when I come 

 to London. In the mean time, I think myself thy much-obliged 

 friend, 



John Fotiiergill. 



London, 6th 2d mo., 1773: 



Esteemed Friend : 



I received thy box of Insects very safe, and in very good order. 

 Many of them are nondescripts ; and the rest in excellent order, a 

 few excepted, which had suffered before they were put into the 

 box. 



Let it be well dried in the sun or before a fire, before any others 

 are put into it; and deliver the key to the captain, as before, 

 which saves a great deal of trouble. 



******* 



I must desire thee still to proceed in thy vegetable researches, 

 as it falls in thy way. Bulbous roots of all kinds are easily con- 

 veyed. The Orchis's, likewise, may be easily sent. Let them be 

 taken up when the flower fades, with a large clod of earth about 

 them ; pick this off carefully, that none of the roots may be broke, 

 and dry them a little in the shade ; wrap them in papers, keep 

 them from vermin, and put them up with the other plants, or in a 

 little dry box by themselves. I had an Orchis sent me from Phila- 



