
          I was surprized [surprised] this season to find the Black and Sugar Maple did not
 exhibit a single flower or Carpel I desired a friend travelling
 to Vermont to inform if he found the same to be the case in his Journey
 on his return said he could not find a sugar maple with fruits
 on his journey to Vermont and return. at my request this gentlemen
 collected some fine specs [specimens] of Acer spicatum in fruit &c.
 Last year was the bearing year with the Sugar Maple, in this vicinity
 & to Vermont. Have you paid any attention to this fact in the State
 of New York.


 Dr Jacob Porter visited me a short time ago, on his return from
 N [New] Haven. This is the first time I have seen Dr P. [Porter]. He spoke highly
 of the attention he received from Prof Silliman and others and further
 expressed his high regards for many acts of attention &c from Dr Torrey.
 His appearance is any thing but commanding. I gave him some
 rare plants found him rather rusty in Caricography, but desired him
 to send me his C. novae angliae [Carex novae-angliae], which he did. This was one of the
 rare Carices I did not possess specimens of. I believe I have the last
 spring forms the same in this region.


 I much desire to see what Dr Boott has said and named C. vesicaria [Carex vesicaria]
 & Dewey is still dribbling on with Carices in Silliman
 and does not agree with Dr Gray on C folliculata [Carex folliculata]. I have specimens from
 Maine and others in different things that I will lookcarefully one
 of these days. I have gathered C folliculata Lin [Carex folliculata Linné] from 6 inches to 3 &
 4 feet high in Middletown.


 I have preserved some fine specimen of 2 [mosses] subspecies that
 are not I presume in your Herbarium You shall see them in
 due time Having watched the trees several years I have now
 authentic specimens in all stages with copious notes.
 I was in hopes I should have had time to have forwarded some specimens
 for your examination but this must be deferred till another opportunity
 Pray where shall I direct any parcel for you to be left in the [lower?]
 and convenient part of the City. If any packages for me are 
 in future sent to you by sending them at once by a porter or
 Carman to the Hartford Steam Boat You will do me an
 especial favour and I shall most punctually pay charges I do not
 desire you to incur any expence [expense] on my business Mr. Barnes will
 take charge of my parcels if not do send them by the Hartford Boat
 as early as possible I am desirous to see the plants from
 Dr Carpenter he has written me about.


 Yours Truly
 Joseph Barratt


 Present my best respects to Mrs Torrey


 To Prof Torrey, and Dr Gray.
        