TALBOT2127

Chippenham ¹
14^h Jan^ry 1831

Dear Sir /

I enclose a Copy taken from the Map of Nethermore ² farm – by which you will be enabled to point out the spot that you wish to have planted – You will observe that “Middle & Yonder Heath” are both arable Lands & in a state of cultivation, the large field only, is Furze – I therefore imagine you may intend a part of this field for the Plantation – in that case, you will probably think the end nearest to your own Land, the best – on Account of the Game – when the Trees become large enough to form coverts³ – I have been to Bath, & Salter agrees to replace all dead Trees the first year, the same as Heale –

I have been endeavoring, ineffectually, to make a contract for grubbing & burning the Land – Moore ⁴ would willingly have taken it on behalf of the Parish – but it is so unusual a thing, in this country (I mean the grubbing furze) that they cannot fix a Price – but he desired me to say, that he would undertake to have a superintendant [sic] on whom he could rely, to see that the men did it well & worked their full time & would pay 4^s/ p^r Week for each Man while employed – the other 5^s/ being paid by you – He also desired me to say, that the Furze may be sold, as being so light, it will make very little manure & it is useful for making fences – The Roots & turf, may then be burnt to advantage ⁵ – when you write, be so kind as to say if you approve of this Plan –

I have made a Contract for the draining at Nash Hill ⁶ – with a Man who, I understand, has been working at Lord Lansdowne’s ⁷ & other Places in that Neighbourhood & he undertakes to employ Men provided by Moore – who will in this case also allow you the 4^s/ p^r Week for each Man while employed – this will be done as Peice [sic] Work between by the Contractor & being rather a large concern he has undertaken it at something less than what he usually is paid. –

I will take care to attend to your instructions respecting Timber for planting & as soon as I can get any certain intelligence on the subject, will write forthwith –

I called to see M^rs Trimnell ⁸ at the address which you gave me, but she was gone into Herefordshire – whither, my Letter has followed her & I am now waiting to receive her directions, when I shall pay the £20– w^ch you desired me to present to her –

I am dear Sir Y^r obliged & obd^t Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

W. H. F. Talbot Esq