
          Newburgh Monday Eve. May 25.


 Dear Sir,


 I have sent, as you wished, a specimen
 of Aquilegia. I very much fear that it will not
 grow, for its roots ran so deeply in the crevices
 of the Limestone rock that the sledge & chisel
 were necessary to get them out and in the endeavor
 to get them as entire as possible many other
 specimens were ruined, so that the locality 
 is almost destroyed. I have not been able to 
 find a single one in fruit, it does not appear
 to flower as profusely as the common species.
 All the specimens I have are sent with this
 letter. You will I think be able to make something
 more that a mere variety of it. The “horns” [crossout: of]
 do not protrude beyond the calyx until after
 the expansion of the flower. Tis much lower in 
 habit than A. Canadensis & grows in company
 with it in some cases their roots intertwine, those
 sent you are the largest specimens I have seen.


 Respectfully Yours
 Mina B. Halsted


 I shall soon have some fine plants of the Fragania
 with which I troubled you so much a year or two ago. I hope
 you will be able to see them in situ & eat the fruit this
 summer.

        