Description

For many years Cripps was a resident at Point De Galle in Ceylon [Sri Lanka], holding the office of Government Agent for the Southern Province of the Colony. Cripps knows of Hooker through his lamented friend Mr Gardner and was also introduced to Hooker's son when he was with Lord Dalhousie on his was to India. Cripps asks Hooker if he thinks it will be practicable for him to obtain Roses, Geraniums, Wisteria, Seloias, Fuchsias and other plants for Ceylon, to be carried out on a steamer which takes about six weeks to make the passage. His garden needs entirely replenishing. He has no experience in the transmission of plants from England, as his friends, Sir Lawrence Peel or poor Mr Gardner, were always good enough to keep him supplied from either Calcutta [Kolkata] or Kandy [Maha Nuvara]. He is very anxious on his return next month to take with him as much stock as his limited allowance of space will afford, and so seeks Hooker's advice. He has a list of plants, some taken from his friend Mrs[?] Lawrence's labels at Ealing Park, but he does not know if these are best suited to the winter of Southern Ceylon. He wonders if he might call upon Hooker at RBG Kew for advice and asks to be remembered to Joseph Hooker. Pages 1 and 4 of 4.

Description

For many years Cripps was a resident at Point De Galle in Ceylon [Sri Lanka], holding the office of Government Agent for the Southern Province of the Colony. Cripps knows of Hooker through his lamented friend Mr Gardner and was also introduced to Hooker's son when he was with Lord Dalhousie on his was to India. Cripps asks Hooker if he thinks it will be practicable for him to obtain Roses, Geraniums, Wisteria, Seloias, Fuchsias and other plants for Ceylon, to be carried out on a steamer which takes about six weeks to make the passage. His garden needs entirely replenishing. He has no experience in the transmission of plants from England, as his friends, Sir Lawrence Peel or poor Mr Gardner, were always good enough to keep him supplied from either Calcutta [Kolkata] or Kandy [Maha Nuvara]. He is very anxious on his return next month to take with him as much stock as his limited allowance of space will afford, and so seeks Hooker's advice. He has a list of plants, some taken from his friend Mrs[?] Lawrence's labels at Ealing Park, but he does not know if these are best suited to the winter of Southern Ceylon. He wonders if he might call upon Hooker at RBG Kew for advice and asks to be remembered to Joseph Hooker. Pages 1 and 4 of 4.