My dear Darwin/

It is not seeds that I have ever tried to grow, but twigs of willow & perhaps poplar with 1 or 2 buds on.¹ I am now trying birch (Betula nana probably)² which look very lively. But I never suceeded with any thing but a gramineous plant (Cyperus?)³ of which the Ptarmigan had extracted the very core, almost like a bulb. They shot up 1$\frac{1}{2}$ inch & I (sicut mens est meus)⁴ forgot to water them. This incapacitates me from any experiments, or I should have done something in that line, by this time(?)   I have had to give up little half-hour jobs, after trying to remember them for 30 years or more, in vain. You result-mongers must take the will for the deed.

The disapp^t to me is a sore trial, you may suppose. If I were rich, I s^hd. keep a Curate, in that sense

I may send you a few sketches of my Drake with this; & some Card. pratensis for the Babbies ⁵ (alas! thorough bred Saxons).

Fra. Parkers are very near neighbours, & good friends⁶

Your’s very truly | J. Price