
          Highland Gardens
Newburgh N.Y. Jan 26 1847

My dear Sir

I hope this favor which
I am about to ask you will not be too
heavy a tax for I sit down with a sort
of old-new pleasure from the feeling that
our lines cross each other again, as they
used to do so often many years ago.

Your know my hobby is horticulture and
I am just now interested in the pear tree.
This tree [added: as is well known] does not usually [?] & bear fine
fruit easily near the sea coast. But I have
lately met with an instance that puzzles
me of extraordinary vigor & productivity
in the gardens at Plymouth Mass. Quite on
the sea & with no apparent reason for 
the exception.

I suspect strongly however that there is 
something in the soild which will account
for it & I have accordingly procured some
which I send you herewith. Now the favor
I desire to ask today is that if you

        