118 MEMOIK OF ALFKED SMEE. [CHAP. X 



An immense hamper of plants will be sent from Carshalton, and I 

 have made arrangements for Saxifrages, Seinpervivums, and Sedums to be 

 sent, as well as a stock of bedding plants. 



The hampers had better be sent back to Carshalton. 



I have ordered my largest Wistaria to be taken np and sent to cover 

 your verandah. 



I have ordered some lavender and the various herbs to be sent. I 

 think that they had better be planted under the peach-trees near the road, 

 but perhaps they had better wait till I come down. 



Drive on the men ! Get in the earth. Get me lots of stones, and 

 give B. the enclosed plan for him to finish the park. side. You must 

 worry them three times a day at least, for you will gain a year by working 

 hard this month and getting in your crops. 



I shall bring some seed-peas with me and other seeds to be planted at 

 once, and the rest will follow. 



Let me know every day what is done. 



I have made inquiries about some peat, for I must contrive that you 

 have a few American plants if I can manage it. 



I have ordered your Azaleas and Camellias to be sent directly, also 

 some Alpine plants. I have also sent a hamper full of bulbs, so neces- 

 sary to make your garden beautiful in spring. The Hyacinths and 

 Narcissi are to be planted in pots for the greenhouse; the Scillas on 

 the mound. 



Then follows a drawing how the bulbs should be arranged. 



We have just come back from Carshalton. The garden is most 

 lovely ; all our Cacti are planted out. Many of the little ones are in 

 flower; most interesting. Our Cacti have only been watered once this 

 winter. 



I am quite afraid your man will seriously damage yours, so plant them 

 all out forthwith, but label them first. I should have gone to bed 

 straight, but I did not like you to spoil your plants, &c. 



There is an anemone on the mound, with a white flower somewhere in 

 this position (here follows a drawing). I think you had better either 

 eradicate or curtail it to a very little bit. It is a most aggressive rascal. 

 Mine has eaten up nearly twenty species, and has almost driven me wild. 



Whit Monday, 10.20. 



For some years previously he had been a member of the 

 Council of the Eoyal Horticultural Society ; he was chairman 

 of the fruit committee, as well as a member of the scientific 

 committee, of the same society. Just before his death he was 

 elected vice-president of the scientific committee. He ever took 

 an active part in these committees, and was rarely absent from 

 them. 



In May 1874, an International Botanical Congress was held 

 at Florence, and Alfred Smee was sent there as representative of 



