Description

Wray is grateful to Hooker for his kind reception of and liberality to [their gardener] Mr Brewster. Wray would be happy if they have anything that might be acceptable to Hooker and will be proud if any of their seedlings prove new to him. Wray will be happy to subscribe to Hooker's new botanical work: many would be glad of an opportunity to subscribe and she is tempted to ask for more copies of Hooker's prospectus for distribution. Skinner wrote to Wray as soon as he landed and sent a few fragments of Orchids, but his collection seems to have been lost on the voyage. Brewster has been busy since his return, and they are getting their roses planted. All the plants in their houses are looking well and Wray boasts about their specimen of Luculia gratissima, which Brewster describes as surpassing any he saw at Comely Bank: it is eight feet high and just as wide with bold, deep green foliage. Each shoot is terminated by luxuriant heads of delightfully fragrant pink flowers. They have specimens in flower of: Epidendrum skinneri, received last June from Mr Skinner; two plants of the Oncidium which Hooker flatteringly called 'O. wrayii'; and a specimen of Skinner's O. cavendishianum. Wray is depending on Hooker's promise of a visit in the spring with his family. She describes Cheltenham as a beautiful place when the trees and shrubs are in perfection early in the season. Wray mentions Hooker's account of his father and expresses her satisfaction at his renewed health. She and her daughter send their best regards to Hooker and his family. Pages 1 and 4 of 6.