25 such oyster ships on the pier. Also, two magnificent ships are being built here 

 since the necessary oak wood can be obtained in the vininity. Around Seaford as in 

 all of southern Delaware, peaches and strawberries are being cultivated. Immediately 

 after my arrival, I walked through 300 acres of orchard, planted mostly with 

 peache? trees. The trees are 25 fe«t apart and between them rows of raspberries 

 and blackberries are planted which are growing very well, also some times apple 

 trees and pear trees take the place of the peach trees, which all look very healthy 

 and strong. The land is even and very sandy, but is supposed to have further down 

 a thing layer of clay. It is a mystery to me that this sandy and sterile looking 

 soil can produce such huge oak trees as I have seen myself. The tide from the 

 Chesapeake Bay extends to Seaford, and with the beginning of spring, enormous 

 masses of herrings, shads and other fish is supposed to come up the river and are 

 being caught here. The climate here does not seem to vary as much as it does in 

 St. Louis. We had only one very cold night during this winter with a thermometer 

 reading of plus l8°F, f and only two days of snow enought to ride a sled. The air 

 here, probably because of the nearness of the ocean, does not seem to be so harsh 

 and dry as in Missouri and is very good for people suffering from consumption, but 

 unhealth for people suffering from rheumatism and gout. Up to now, the climate was 

 good for us two. Approximately thirty miles north from here is the ocean port 

 Lewistown where it is supposed to be comfortably cool in the summer. 



We like to be here; also we can live here cheaper than in Philadelphia and can 

 take of our expenses with the interest coming from our U # S. bonds. Fresh oysters 

 cost here 20 cts per quart, good beef 10 to 12 cts, lard 12 1/12, groceries are 

 only a little bit more expensive than in Philadelphia; oakwood for the fireplace 

 3 dollars per cord delivered, flour 5 cts per pound, very good corn meal 76 cts 

 per bushel, also vegetables are rather cheap. The soil, even though sandy, brings 

 good crops if fertilized, especially trees and shrubs grow everywhere in the 

 gardens and are very tough. Nowhere else have I seen the European aspen and edgigg 

 box as fresh and strong as here. After having left the larger cities and taking 

 up a more permanent residence, my interest in botany began to rise again. Since 

 the month of November until end of December (unfortunately not a very good season 

 for this purpose) I have collected some specimens, of course, mostly only with 

 fruits and without leaves, altogether 63 species. With fruit and green leaves, I 

 found the following: Ascyrum Crux Andrea 16/12; Crataegus species 21/11; 2 aster 

 species, one in bloom, 19/11; Achillea Millefl. 19/11 I Mitchella repens 16/12; 3 

 Ericaceae unknown to me 2lAl| Kalmia latifol&a 21/H* Mentha arvensis ? 20/11? 

 Betula nigra 29/11; Pinus inops . P. Taeda, Juniperus virginiana . Thuya occidentalis . 

 Smilax lauri folia 21/11; some plants I have found here which I never previously 

 collected, among them Rhus venenata which grows in low meadows. It is a small tree 



