JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that he has written to [John] Lubbock to arrange a meeting. He thinks WTTD can make a better plan for 'the offices' than John Lessels [of The Office of Works]. Smith has had a mild heart attack but expects to be back at work at RBG Kew in a day. JDH praises the rock garden. JDH is digesting [James Edward Tierney] Aitchison's letter, JDH wrote to Aitchison about his rose a moth previously. JDH will return to RBG Kew on Monday, 27 July 1885.

No summary available.

JDH describes the grounds of Cragside in Rothbury. He calls it a beautiful 'wilderness' rather than a garden & compares it to the Rhododendron region of the Himalayas & the Alleghenies of South Carolina. The owner Sir William Armstrong plants 650,00 plants a year, prominent species JDH mentons incl: Rhododendrons, Gaultheria, Ramie[?] Callunas, Ericas, Kalmias, Sedum Vaccinium myrtillus, Arbuti, Pernettyas, Polygonum sffine, Berberis & Cornel. Armstrong has offered to exchange plants with RBG Kew. There is a rock garden with [Eucalyptus?] nitens trees caulked by rock plants & a profusion of procumbent Cotoneasters. The gardener reports that the area is untroubled by weeds & JDH saw none. Was surprised by the presence of Cisti [Cistus] in such a cold place. JDH describes Cragside house as 'large & awkward' but admires the collection of paintings & extraordinary marble fire surround created by Richard Norman Shaw, who's work JDH does not generally admire. He criticises Shaw's design of the interior, commenting that is dark; even the [hydro] electric lighting being unable illuminate some areas. The house is isolated, an hour and a half from Morpeth. Describes Lady [Margaret] Armstrong as a cheery old lady who is her own housekeeper. Sir William is an wealthy ex solicitor with no family. John Hancock is at Cragside & JDH visited Newcastle Museum with him, where JDH admired the arrangement of the birds, which were superior to Landseer's & Hecknel's. A soldier Captain Salvin, relative of Osbert Salvin, is also at Cragside & has with him an otter & cormorants trained to fish.

JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer [WTTD] from [Cragside], Rothbury as he forgot to mention in his last letter, the presence of ferns along with Gaultheria, Heathers & Rhododendrons in the grounds there. Inglis Palgrave has advised JDH that he can afford to retire. JDH goes on to list his reasons for wanting to retire & his reservations about leaving RBG Kew. There should be someone competent in place to assume WTTD's position as Assistant Director when he is elevated to Director. Compliments the competency of WTTD in all areas of RBG Kew's work. Already he does things beyond JDH's understanding e.g. with the [Jodrell] laboratory. Currently JDH worries what would happen to RBG Kew if one of them fell ill, his own strength is failing & he is going deaf. His own retirement is not necessarily an opportunity to get rid of Curator John Smith but would be a good lever to induce the Board to make necessary changes. JDH discusses changes to be made in the Arboretum by WTTD with the help of a good bailiff, William Truelove, & George Nicholson & JDH would help even after retirement if needed. Also mentions planting rare trees & a 'formation' by the lake. He mentions the journey from his home 'The Camp'. Overall JDH thinks it wise to offer his retirement. He insists that WTTD should stay on at RBG Kew, where his work has earned him many plaudits from Government. JDH understands WTTD's nervousness about the change & had intended to work until he was 70 but is glad he can afford to retire now. Comments on WTTD's departmental reorganisation mentioning Truelove & Binden. JDH hopes that the Government might give him a consultant position as they did with Huxley, which would allow him to continue work on his 'beloved' FLORA INDICA & spend more time on the ICONES PLANTARUM & BOTANICAL MAGAZINE. JDH has 'worked in or for Kew for near 45 years, as a Collector, Describer & Director'. The Bentham bequest & necessary supervision of the herbarium will need to be discussed.

JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that he must stay at the Hodgson's until the following Monday. JDH may need to send him a cheque to sign during the extended absence. JDH finds that [Brian Houghton] Hodgson has changed, his memory is poor and he has a cough & bad knee, he may go to Mentone for his health in the winter. The train journey brought back JDH's ear ache but it has passed again.

JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer about his plans to meet with Algernon Freeman-Mitford, Secretary to the Office of Works, on returning to RBG Kew. JDH wishes to discuss with Mitford where to put more offices, potentially the Directors' House or Kew Palace. JDH writes of the decline of John Smith's health & control as Curator of RBG Kew. Smith has promised JDH that all the mould from the [glass] houses will go to the arboretum, & first to the starving horse chestnuts. JDH will be glad to return to Kew, though his hosts at Alderley Grange, the Hodgsons, are very kind.