HORTICULTURE

4pp., folio. Bifolium. Complete, on aged and worn paper.

One page, cr.8vo, faint staining (foxing?) but text clear and complete. "the Duke of Devonshire has only today received Mr Wards letter cponcerning the box at Drury Lane. Mr Heaton [his agent] Old Burlington St will transact the business with the committee upon this letter being shown to him." He succeeded to the title on the death of his father in 1811.

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. With two pages of lists of plants by Shepherd. Good, on aged paper. In remains of original envelope. The letterhead advertises that the firm also has a branch at Ashford. Begins: 'We can supply you with the shrubs &c you kindly enquire about at the Prices named on other side - your orders for which will have our careful attention'. Three are marked with a cross, being 'very critical trees to move' for which the firm 'can undertake no responsibility as to their success'. Prices given for fifteen types, from 'Spruce Trees - 4 ft.

12mo, 4 pp. Bifolium. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Begins: 'THE object of this leaflet is to draw the attention of Asparagus Growers to some facts regarding the Asparagus plant's 'way of Life' which the close study and observation necessary to successful pedigree breeding of a definite strain have taught me.' Kidner is described as 'Author of "ASPARAGUS" (Faber & Faber)', with the announcement that 'KIDNER'S PEDIGREE STRAIN has been given an Award of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1953.' No copy on COPAC or in the British Museum.

12mo, 2 pp. Bifolium. Twenty-one lines. Text clear and complete. On discoloured paper. Begins 'I think if you go into The Park at Hampton Court you will easily satisfy yourself that I am justified in withholding my consent to its being stript of its turf'. He considers that 'positive injury [will be] done to the Pasture', and as 'it is expected that we should maintain Deer to the number of 500. or more & that we endeavour to obtain from the feeding of Cattle some portion of the rent payable to Lady Bloomfield', consent cannot be given 'to diminish the food in the Park'.

12mo: 1 p. 8 lines of text. On aged paper somewhat grubby around signature at foot. Asks when he will be 'able to come to us to meet the d[uke] of Wellington'. They are 'at liberty any time between the 4th and 11th of January'.

Juliette Huxley's letter is 4to: 2 pp. Good, though lightly creased and attached to the other items by a paperclip. The correspondence mainly concerns a book by Cowell's eventually published under the title 'The garden as a fine art: from antiquity to modern times' (1978). She begins by describing Mary Wellesley: 'quite a character [...] lives in a small house off St. James's Palace, and entertains by candlelight.

Four pages, 4to, fold marks, discoloration, some damage with minor loss of text.

Some of the envelopes are grubby, creased, and stained, but the collection is in good condition overall. Most items are 16mo. The first testimonial (1 page, 16mo), by 'H Smith | Gardener & Bailiff', is dated August 1874. It reads 'John Dale lived under me in the Gardens at The Dale nr Manchester for two years, during which time I found him very steady & industrious & attentive to his duties'. The second testimonial (1 page, 4to, in official envelope addressed to Dale at Petworth Park) is from J. Smith, Curator, Royal Gardens, Kew, and is dated 28 April 1877.

Entomologist (1924-), author of the monumental 'Generic names of moths of the world' (6 vols, 1975-91). The recipient is the author of several works on gardening. 1 page, 8vo. In good condition, but creased and with one closed tear and with sellotape stains at head and foot. He thanks his correspondent for the letter of 10 September enclosing a caterpillar, and compliments him on its preservation. '[I]t is in perfect condition for determination. It is very difficult to preserve the green coloration, as in life.' He identifies the specimen as a cabbage moth.