Grote has been asked to help Blechynden obtain a good gardener for the Horticultural Society at Calcutta. Blechynden has shown him certificates for one J. Hodges who served at RBG Kew for a year and is recommended by Veitch. Grote would like to know if Hooker remembers the man. The Society's main requirement is skill in propagating. Grote asks for Hooker's opinion on the terms: £180 a year with a house for three years and passage out paid. Grote was going to come to see Hooker but assumes he will not currently want visitors. He asks for a copy of the last annual report and a plant of Roupellia grata for their friend, Mrs Roupell, after whom Wallich named it. Grote's daughter is with her mother and is all the better for their visit to Scotland. Grote believes King has arrived in England and asks if he is in London. Pages 1 and 4 of 4.