WCP1643

[1]

54 Bedford Gardens

Kensington. W.

Riverside

Lechlade,

Glo[ucester]s[hire].

June 26. 1912

Dear Madam

Mrs Willmott¹ has sent me your letter about Rosa Stellata² and has asked me to write to you with reference to the live flowers which you so kindly offer to send for reproduction in "The Genus Rosa"³ As they are very precious I am anxious that every precaution should be taken in order [2] that they may reach me in the best possible condition so that my drawing may do justice to the plant. I return tomorrow to Riverside, Lechlade, Glo[ucester]s[hire], where I am now painting, but unfortunately I cannot be quite certain of my movements during the next few days.

I shall have to come to London again for the funeral of my old friend Sir L Alma-Tadema⁴ & I have not yet heard which [3] day it will be — I propose therefore to send you a telegram as soon as I am sure that I can draw the rose directly it reaches me — you will forgive me if I add some suggestions as to packing &c — I should like a spray that shows growth & foliage as well as the actual flower; it should be cut early in the morning & allowed to stand in plenty of water for some hours before packing & I find that specimens keep [4]⁵ better if put in a tin box with a little damp moss round the end of the stem, & of course they are better cut rather too soon than a day too late. It will be better to do as you propose, to send one blossom first & the other later. I am afraid you will think me very fussy, but my work has often been unsatisfactory because the flowers have not been at their best when they reached me.

I am, dear Madam, | Yours faithfully | Alfred Parsons [signature]