Difficulties of training and educating Smith's "young friend", Mr Johnes, in agriculture. Disinclined to send him to Edinburgh or Glasgow as knowledge in philosophy "is of no use in life [and] serves to make a man conceited and dogmatical". Criticises those teachers who speculate on agriculture from a distance and relates his own treatise on the proper education for a farmer. Requests Smith's help in locating a former correspondent from whom he once received a sample of "Peruvian wool". Concern for the health of Miss Johnes. Has just received from Dr [James] Anderson in India a sample of wool of a "bright golden yellow"; had it been found near Colchis it "might have been supposed to be the golden fleece".

Her misfortunes: financial plights of herself and her children, emotional turmoil caused by death of her favourite daughter. Seeks employment to draw and colour plates for Smith's next "magnificent" work of natural history.

Recounts his recent movements between Bath, Haford, and London, where he was called to prevent the destruction of all the timber at Croft, which Smith may have seen advertised, but failed. Saw Sir Joseph Banks this morning. Received from Dr [James] Anderson "a lock of the golden fleece" which he supposes Smith has accounts of in the papers; it is "very curious & just the colour of raw silk, a high gold colour".

Visited by [Charles] Sutton, who showed him 'Orobanche purpurea', a new species, and 'Orobanche ramosa'. Asks Smith to getting specimens of these as well as 'Robanche major' which grows in cornfields on 'Diadelphous' plants. Introduced Sir Thomas Frankland to the Linnean Society.

Thinks [Richard] Salisbury's nonemclature "improper not to say ridiculous" and sorry that he has persisted and even printed "his errors". [Jonas] Dryander and Salisbury are in dispute over the issue [renaming heath plants with new names based on differences between them] ['Species of 'Erica'', "Linnean Transactions"]. Smith correct the corolla of 'Agrostis littoralis', he has corresponded with [William] Withering on the issue it but believes he printed before Smith's observations were known, blames [Carl Peter] Thunberg for "this curious superficial daubing". Discussion of 'Carduus': after comparison of sessiles and calyx had already decided that [William] Curtis' 'Carduus tenuiflorus' was not 'Carduus pycnocephalus', nor does he think it 'Carduus australis' of [Linnaeus the younger's] "Supp[lementum]"; reassures Smith that he can trust him with his "difficulties".

Struggling with 'Potamogeton', particularly 'P. serratum', 'P. gramineum' (Smith's 'P. pectinatum'), [William] Hudson's 'P. pectinatum', and 'P. setaceum'; believes the latter three may be varieties of the same plant, has examined Sir Joseph Banks' specimens. Asks if 'P. serratum' is a species and whether 'P. setaceum' is a variety of 'P. pusillum'. Eager to hear when ["Linnean Transactions"] is printing; thinks [James] Sowerby has failed in his drawing of 'Fucus haliformis' [for Goodenough and Thomas Woodward's paper 'Observations on the British Fucus']. Jokes about an invasion by the French.

Opportunity to acquire seeds from Constantinople, as long as the list corresponds with [Peter] Forsskål [(1732-1763), Swedish naturalist]; asks Smith to compile a list of rare and beautiful plants in return for a share of the seeds, had hoped to send list from [Peter Simon Pallas'] "Flora Rossica", particularly 'Rhododendron'. Much hampered by his mother's conduct but sale of the timber prevented by an injunction. Has heard from his sister, Charlotte; she and Mrs Kindersley both well and there is an addition to the family, she was going to Baughlepoor.

Double geraniums given to Lady Banks by Lady Charlotte Murray [(1754–1808), sister of 4th Duke of Atholl], and discussion of who to credit the discovery to, to the best advantage of the "study of botany". Compliments Mrs Smith on turkeys.

Thanks for Smith's letter of 20 January [1797]; pleased to hear of Smith's successful move from Hammersmith, [Middlesex], to Norwich, [Norfolk]. Had a letter from [Samuel] Goodenough expressing his regret at Smith's removal from London and fears of it being injurious to the Linnean Society; he himself fears Smith's "uninterrupted literary leisure" at Norwich will prevent his visits to London being as frequent as the wellbeing of the Society requires. Plans for their visit to the Smiths in Norwich.

Glad to hear of hopes of favourable outcome for [Mariamne] Johnes' lameness. There is no "greater plague than the fancied discoveries of young botanists", in reference to "minute" specimens sent by Dawson Turner of several marine plants. Writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for December [1796] has proposed arranging 'Fucus' with the zoophytes; in response states that 'Fucus' are "really & truly vegetables, producing seeds", and [John] Stackhouse is currently engaged in experiment of raising the larger sort from seed, and expects to succeed.

Glad Smith likes [William] Withering's new edition [of "An arrangement of British plants"]; Withering is indebted to Smith and others for the improvements; Withering's "true spirit of candour". Surprised by Smith's objection to the alteration of the system; had idea that Smith entirely approved [Carl Peter] Thunberg's system and that he intended to adopt it for his "Flora [Britannica]". Curious to see [Archibald] Menzies', not [Adam] Afzelius', 'Fucus' specimens, one appears similar to his 'Ulva decorticata'.