From C. S. Bate   29 November 1869

My dear Sir

Probably the enclosed may not be new information to you but I am loth to run the risk of not conveying to you that which may be of interest.

Walking in the nursery garden this afternoon I observed a smooth leaved Holly one branch of which was of the ordinary prickly kind. The Gardener assures me that there has been no graft, nor is it probable considering the position of the branch.¹

He says that the branch had been cut back for the purpose of not allowing it to interfere with the pathway & that the young branch came forth in this altered variety:

Should you feel interest in the circumstance I dare say that I could obtain further information or probably supply you with the branch.

I am my dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | C. Spence Bate