WCP3719

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex.

March 6th. 1873.

Dear Mitten

Accept my double congratulations, first upon your successful debut in the new line of comic botanical artist,¹ — and, secondly, on your grand and glorious acquisition of Orchids!

I hope you may succeed, but I fear Sikhim orchids are hardly alpine enough, & it is a very moist place: What do you think of hanging them out under the apple tree in July and August & springing[?] them well there? I fancy the fresh air would do them good. Did you get them direct? If you have any thing uncommon among them you may make some good exchanges for hardy Andean species with which there would be no difficulty. Thanks for the Hypericum². It came in beautiful order & I planted it out at once [2] under the north garden wall, where it will be less burnt up till it grows strong. I am glad the Peonys [sic] are coming up as none of mine have appeared, & I have dug over the bed in despair. My New Zealand Clianthus³ has come up nicely in the house, & as soon as we are safe from frost I shall turn it out.

We shall be very glad to see you and Rose⁴. Suppose you come Sunday week, then Rose can stay till Annie⁵ comes to you, & can remain to take care of me & the children.

I have just had a thousand cuttings of Salix kerksii⁶ from Scaling,⁷ to plant hedges. Also a few other kinds for planting on the rough banks. Annie says there are some [3] very nice kinds at Hurst.⁸ [,] yellow barked & tree[?] willows. When you come could you bring me half a dozen good strong cuttings of 2 — 3 good kinds. I must have shelter everywhere, & willows will help me to get it quicker than anything else, & will look well too. The few days of milder weather are bringing our crocuses out, & making lots of things show signs of life. The frost seems to have done no harm, but the cold north winds have cut our laurels a little. Our friend Sturgeon⁹ has been presenting his compliments again, — claiming a bit of our dell & threatening to knock down my fence.

In a late number of the Gardens¹⁰ Cooke¹¹ says Orchids last in flower [4] very much longer in a sitting room than in a hot house. He has had plants which have kept in flower in his drawing room 4 months, & many, a month or 2 or 3 months. So you can have Orchids in the Parlour & Orchids in the Kitchen, — when you get them to flower.

Let us hear when you propose to come.

Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. your pills are what the Yankees would call "cruel mild". It takes 3 or 4 to produce the least effect on me. Can you make them three times as strong so that one pill will do, as I am not a good hand at swallowing them & w[oul]^d. rather have one large than 3 small. If so send me a box.

ARW. [signature]