From Peter Henderson   16 December 1876

Dear Sir,

Yours is at hand, and bearing on the subject in question I may state the fact that during the past ten years, I have propagated and sold an average of two millions of plants annually,—mostly Greenhouse and Store plants— This is a greater number perhaps, than is propagated by any one establishment in Europe, This immense number of subjects has given me opportunities of observation equal to that of any man of my age, and in many instances I think I have seen branches “sports” as distinctly marked as that of the Cytisus laburnum and C. purpureus.¹ We grow here large numbers of Bouvardia Hogarth—from that we have bud variations from the original Carmine color, of Pure White lilac & striped pink & white, all from “cuttings” taken from the original variety— Again from the pure rich Scarlet colored seedling “Monthly” Carnation we have pure white, striped & light rose color again all from cuttings, from the one original plant, and even the leaves of the “sports” are so markedly different in the Bouvardias, that any one familiar can pick them out the red from the white when not in flower.—² I have at this date a plant of Hibiscus rosea sinensis—in full bloom, (the original color of which is dark crimson) and on the plant is some six flowers of the crimson color, and two on a shoot of deep orange yellow!—³ I have cultivated from the same stock for the past 15 years, and I am certain as I am of my existence that there never was a plant either buded or grafted here, nor would there be any likely hood of it ever having been done any where else,— I think all nature cries against the belief— Every generation has a distinct individuality, that in my humble opinion cannot be blended unless by generation,— I have not got your second Edition of Plants & Animals under Domestication”,⁴ but will get it at once, and trust that my desire to get at truth will enable me to read it with a mind free from prejudice, even though it uproot the settled convictions of my 30 years experience of Plant culture.—

Very truly yours | Peter Henderson