From H. T. Stainton   8 March 1859

My dear Sir

I return you D ^r Temple’s letter enclosed with many thanks for the sight of it. Ten competitors I think very fair for the first start.

I am glad you had such a glorious day for your ramble on Saturday—There is always something very pleasant in a first excursion in the new year & wood anemones, primroses & violets &c look to me still as attractive as when I was a child.

I will endeavor to remember your wishes respecting a small French roll when in Paris; but the biggest loaf I ever saw was in Devonshire, at Totness it was the size of a small round table & would I should fancy have lasted a small family for a month.

We had some discussion at the Ent. Socy last evening respecting Scolytus destructor, whether it prefers sound trees or decaying ones, I believe the latter opinion is now becoming more general. & I observe the Gardener’s Chronicle advocates the same view of the subject.

Yours very truly| H. T Stainton