WCP3864

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

April 12th 1912¹

The Director Roy[al]. Bot[anic]. Gardens, Kew²

Dear Sir

I have a plant of Doryanthes Palmeri in my greenhouse border (in light loam) which has over 50 leaves, 5 to 76 feet long and 5 inches wide, apparently in perfect health. It was raised from seed sown in Aug[ust] 1904 (received from the Melbourne Bot[anic]. Garden in Aug[ust]. 1904) therefore 8 years old. [2] Can you kindly inform me when it is likely to flower, or if any thing can be done to make it do so. It has a south aspect, and has been kept rather dry in winter. Would manure (liquid) or root pruning be useful.

Bailey's³Flora of Queensland gives "Cunningham's Gap", Mount Mistake in the Main Range, as being one of the localities for it. I have no map showing this, [3] and should like to know the height above sea-level, if you can tell me.

Can you also inform me if Sophora vicifolia [sic] is likely to be hardy here. Mr Stewart⁴, a nurseryman at Ferndown near Bournemouth, offers it, & says it has violet-blue flowers which a photo[graph]. he gives shows as appearing with the leaves, which is a good quality.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]⁵