Gratifiation at herbarium Smith sent to Liverpool [Botanic Garden]; the garden is progressing but he doubts whether botany will "ever make any effectual progress" in Liverpool area.

Received letter from [William George] Maton on 'Amomum repens', the true cardamon; agrees with Maton's inclination that from the drawing in [David] White's paper on subject read at Linnean Society it is a new genus, with reference to "Hortus Malabaricus" vol 11 tab 5&6; advises caution until Smith's idea of it being an 'Alpinia' is removed. Hopes Smith is continuing with his 'Scitamineae' research, about which "much remains to be done"; they have many at the Botanic Garden but they rarely flower. Anxious about Smith's brother.

Sends his paper on ivy which he had previously addressed to Sir Joseph Banks. Banks believes ivy classes with "woodbind" as a "vegetable beast of prey". Repton refutes Banks' claim with his own observations on ivy's less aggressive nature, offers the paper to Smith and Linnean Society.

Uncertain where to forward [George] Don's late "lucubrations" to Smith. Finds that 'Bromus racemosus' is the most common grass in his fields, and has 'Hieracium murorum' growing upon the walls of Rose Castle; offers to send specimen to [James] Sowerby.