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Will of Thomas Johnes: estimated that after debts Thomas Johnes has left his widow [Jane Johnes] £40,000, "much more than sufficient" for a comfortable maintenance. A considerable legacy was left to Hugh Smith, late of Lincoln's Inn, and the reversion of Hafod, [Cardiganshire], was sold to Clauton two years ago, to be completed on Johnes' death.

Fruit experiments: after experimenting with white chili and black strawberry varieties to find specific identity is now convinced they are both varieties of the Canadian wood strawberry, culled by gardeners of the Duke of Kent [Prince Edward (1767-1820)], which is the parent of the common. Bred peach and almond freely so no longer doubts their specific identity and hopes to present fruit obtained from seed of almond and pollen of peach to the Linnean Society next year.

Attended Linnean Society anniversary meeting; there was general sorrow at Smith's absence and the cause of it, hopes he is well again. Happy to observe the increase of "friendly feelings" between the Linnean and Horticultural Societies, and the latter as the younger Society is careful not to invade on the Linnean's province. Received letter from [Charles-François Brisseau de] Mirbel; he has given Horticultural Society his hypothesis on the conversion of bark into albumum. Unsure of what to make of his "rival" Patrick Keith [(1769-1840), clergyman and botanist] in "Linnean Transactions" and two subsequent volumes [see RelatedMaterial below], as his "misrepresentations are too gross"; will ignore the books but must point out his "Transactions" errors.

Gives Smith permission to alter or omit any expressions in his paper that may offend [Patrick] Keith [(1769-1840)], even though Keith has been repeatedly aggressive. Believes that the issue is with the Linnean Society council as that Keith's paper was "wholly undeserving of any attention" and should not have been printed in "Linnean Transactions". Threatens to publish the paper himself if the Linnean Society does not.

[Keith had criticised Knight in a paper published in "Linnean Transactions", see RelatedMaterial below]

Accepts [Patrick] Keith's [(1769-1840)] apology regarding his "Linnean Transactions" paper, though believes Keith took unnecessary trouble to generate "feelings of hostility", and comments on Keith's attempt at justification in his book ["A system of physiological botany" (1816)], in which he blames a "confusion of language". Asks that an explanation be given in the next volume of "Linnean Transactions".

Sends seed-spike from what he believes to be an undescribed species of 'Phleum' [extant], grown from seeds from north-east of Poland and adjoining part of Russian Empire. Makes his own observations and states differences from 'Phleum pratense', to which he believes it will "prove superior [...] for agricultural purpose". If it is a new species requests Smith name it in a manner that relates to Knight's name and residence as the farmers whom Knight gives the seeds to will do the same and it is desirable that the "common and botanical name should be somewhat similar", as well as showing "whence and how it came into the country". Convinced by a seedling raised from a fruit stone from Siberia, and shown to Smith, that 'Prunus armeniaca' is a native of Siberia; it also bloomed in the Siberian manner, as soon as the snow disappeared. On verso of second folio Smith has written "Ansd. Phl pratense".

Specimen of 'Phleum' seed-spike.

Agrees with Smith that the seed-spike of the 'Phleum' he sent is a variety of 'Phleum pratense', even though it differs significantly from wild specimens he and its habit of going to seed soon after being sown make it "valuable to the farmer", discusses further attributes that differentiate it. Hopes to prove his Siberian apricot as a common apricot by obtaining a "prolific raised breed".