WCP2902

[1]¹

Hill House[,] Mutwal[,]

Colombo[,] Ceylon

24^th Jan[ua]ry 1908

My dear Sir

I fear I have been some time in sending you the seeds I promised, when you did me the kindness to show me the plants in your Green-house but since my return to Ceylon my time has been exceedingly will taken up with my special duties [2] as a Land Settlement Officer so I trust you will make a small allowance for that in your judgement. —

I enclose "a pinch" of seed from one of our most beautiful wild flowers — Chirita moonii — that in its natural state grows on rocks, when it can find any little pocket or foothold. It grows to about [3] 2 ft or 3 ft in height & has a rather sprawling habit, but produces a magnificent bell-shaped flower, rather are 2" in diameter. — Few seeds and very difficult to procure, as they are so minute (as you will observe).— I would suggest that you will first sift some well dried soil before planting, & keep it just moist, but not cold, because in its natural [4]² state the plant growing as it does on rock enjoys a high temperature. — As soon as I get into the hill country I hope to get some Osbeckias & I will try to send you some seeds. —

If you will favor me with the results obtained from the seeds now sent I shall be obliged[.]

I am my dear Sir | Yours very truly | Frederick Lewis [signature]