WCP4242

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset.

Dec^r. 17th. 1911

My dear Mr Cockerell¹

I have received a very nice parcel of fine roots of the handsome Primula Parryi, which I saw growing luxuriantly near Kelso’s Cabin, below Gray’s Peak at 11,500 feet, and which I hope to see in flower again next spring; as I have given it a place where it can get its roots in water as it did there, on the margin of the stream.

[2] I am very sorry you had, apparently, to get them from a nurseryman instead of gathering them, and I thank you very much for your valued present.

I have written to Mr. D. M. Andrews² to ask him what Alpines he can send me.

About 2 months back I was much surprised and pleased to have a visit from Miss Eastwoood,³ my companion in our trip to Gray’s Peak and Grizzly Gulch, in July 1887,⁴ where we saw [3] the American Alpine flora at the snow-line in perfection. She tells me she has been all over the Sierras of California, and has many friends whom she can ask to collect seeds of Alpines for me, so I do hope to have something good next year.

I hope your negotiations with Sutton & Co. about the new Red Sunflower will turn out well, and lead to further profitable business with them. The "Icthyol" ointment you kindly sent me for my Eczema, was too irritating [4] for me but, I am slowly getting betting better under dry applications Oxide of Zinc; but chiefly I believe under a system of "feeding-up", I now eats three good meals a day, chiefly of meat & fruit, and I find this makes me slowly stronger & also diminishes the Eczema.

Answering letters, reading the papers, mags. & books, with a lot of novels fills up my time, with attention to my Alpines & seedling Primulas, though I have promised to write an important article, when I feel up to it, — "On the Influence of the Environment on Morals." We are having the dullest, dampest & dreariest winter I remember, after the hottest summer!

With kind regards to your wife.⁵

Yours faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

The political & foreign situation is now most interesting with us, and I am glad to have lived to see such a hopeful dawn.⁶