My Dear Henslow

If you can obtain me accurate information on the following point from any celebrated grower of Hollyock, such as M^r Chator of Saffron Walden, I sh^d. be extremely much obliged. The Hollyock, under several points of view, in regard to my subject of “Variation” seem to offer puzzling & curious facts.

Yours most truly | Charles Darwin

Do any or many varieties of Hollyock come true from seed. as has been stated by Dean Herbert, Kolreuter & Gærtner?² —and what kinds come true?

If they do come true, must the parent-plants be separated, so as to prevent crossing by Bees.—

When they have not come true, have the parent-plants stood near each other.—

Have any careful attempts been made to cross Hollyocks.; namely by removing the anthers & [protecting] the flowers.—; & if so do the colours of the hybrids generally come intermediate? in some of the experiments by Kolreuter the crossed flowers did not come intermediate in tints.— Nov 12 /55/