
          Recd [Received] [crossed out: Feby [February]] [added: March 7]


 Middletown Feb 23 1835


 My Dear Friend
 I have at length got in readiness to 
 send to England a Box of Cuttings of our Willows, and 
 a set of Dried Specimens. The former as requested 
 by your estimable friend Dr. Hooker  to be sent to
 his Grace the Duke of Bedford. I have followed 
 out your advice in sending a set of Specimens. 
 these will serve to make known what I have 
 sent. of Cuttings I was so fortunate as to find 
 nearly all, which you must allow is no ordinary 
 achievement in the month of February, to give the 
 names to bundles of Willow twigs, in the leafless 
 state, when, who besides? Could do this with 
 the full grown leaves in the month of September! 
 I also purpose to forward a package of specimens 
 for Mr. Carey. these I hope will be acceptable 
 to him, there are a few others, be so kind as say 
 to him I hope in the course of next summer 
 to be able to furnish to him being desirous to 
 let him have as perfect a Collection I can 
 make. From these specimens I trust he 
 will be induced when he makes excursion in the 
 Country to turn his attention to the Willows. 
 I should a few years ago have been very much 
 delighted to have found a Collection of Specimens of 
 willows as complete as the one I now send to Mr C [Carey]
        