My Dear Mr Darwin,

I got your note this forenoon—with postscript query.¹

It so happens that on Monday and during that week I shall have to write at any rate to at least eight or ten gentlemen who are either Deerh^d. breeders or fanciers, also propietors of other stock &c—and intelligent men. Today I shall also meet at dinner two or three agricultural people. From all of these I could get their separate answers to the query—which requires care. If you can allow a few days or so, it might be worth while. I shall put the query about all dogs, and besides about other stock.²

In haste yours | George Cupples