Mr Hardy, CD’s tenant at Beesby, has spent £105 on improvements to the farm. JH suggests different ways of recompensing the tenant, and asks for CD’s decision.

Agrees to pay Mr Mason as requested.

Explains the effects of the falling prices of wheat and cattle on the rents from CD’s and his sister Susan Elizabeth Darwin’s farms.

Asks for more information about CD’s idea of a ‘more permanent arrangement’ with his tenant.

Explains the drawback of a lease or a corn rent.

Suggests giving Marcus Huish permission to shoot over CD’s Beesby estate, but not to revoke JH’s occasional privilege to take a visitor shooting there.

Sends a plan of the Anwick Estate: will value it on Saturday next (23 June 1860).

Will purchase it for CD at the auction on 25 June if he can secure favourable terms.

Has not received any replies from the parties.

Either he or his son will value the property after JH’s return to Alford.

Sorry he did not meet CD in London.

Discusses investment in land as compared with railway shares.

Reports that he has an offer of an estate of about 325 acres that CD may find suitable.

Sends a list of the work he feels should be done at Beesby [Lincolnshire] to put the farm in order. Hopes to get purchase deeds completed by 10 October.

Thanks JH for draft. Glad to hear account of farmhouse.

Discusses accounts.

Cannot visit Alford [farm] this summer.

Agrees to lease land to Mr Mason. Discusses arrangements for bank draft.

Discusses account. Glad that all is prosperous.

Arranges to pay subscription on 15 Feb and 16 Aug as requested by Mr Mason.

Mentions his account; visit to Lincolnshire by his sister [Susan Darwin].

Discusses possible land transactions.

Discusses his account. Mentions death of his father and his own inheritance.

Comments on his account.

Discusses his accounts.