WCP5549

[1]¹

Government House,

Grenada

7th February, 1893.

My dear Morris,

Thanks for your letters of 4th and 16th January, which reached me by the last mail. I am glad you are pleased at my success in saving the St Lucia station from the threatened extinction. In the event of Gray going on leave, I am prepared to send Wiltshire: and can make all the necessary arrangements here. He is, however, an obstinate old fellow: and up to now it has not been possible to get him to stir. We ha have got hold of the whole of the swap: and it is in course of being filled up: but want of money causes the work to go on slowly. You will have received Gray's report ere this.

I am glad you like the idea of Smith's lectures. I had arranged to be present at the first, which takes place next Monday: but have felt bound to apply to the S.S. for leave to go and meet my wife at Barbados. I do not like to allow her to arrive without meeti meeting her there: as she is in great grief, poor thing. You will of course have heard of the death of our dear little boy, after a week's i illness from membranous croup. It has been a terrible blow to us.

I shall modify our coffee prohibition notice: but do you not think [2] that united action ought to be taken by the West Indian colonies? If you do think so, would it not be a matter for Kew to move in, suggesting the form which the prohibition should take? I suggest a letter to the C.O. It will be of no use my taking measures here, unless they are taken in Dominica and elsewhere.

My nepenthes are doing well, and seem to take kindly to the climate. I see in Wallace's Malay Archipelago that in Borneo the pitchers of some of the kinds grow to 26 inches long: and that the plants climb over stu stumps and stunted trees. I am fired with an ambition to imitate this here! I cannot get the Indian orchids to flower: at least I have not yet succeeded. I have not given it up as a bad job, though: and intend to go on trying experiments. I have had a great show of Cattleya speciosissima: three varieties. The climate seems to suit them admirably. My native orchids, growing on the trees, stumps, and rocks about the place, are splendid. The flowers are no great things individually: but the masses of bloom have a very fine effect.

With kind regards to Mr Dyer, | always yours sincerely | Walter Hely Hutchinson [signature]