My dear Mr Darwin

A practical, not scientific request. Mr Wedgwood tells me you have at Down some good “Forget me nots”—dissitiflora, I imagine.¹ We have been unable to get them. Could your gardener give me some seed?

Hope also mentioned a fine anemone, the name I forget, which Miss Wedgwood had in her garden in plenty—² I am a glutton for those things & go about picking & stealing.

There is a curious result of change of circumstances on a plant, which I have noticed here this year. There were some five hollies growing under high trees. I have cut down several of the trees & the hollies are exposed to the sun. & sky. Last year they fruited to an extraordinary extent, and the berries have made them look like red pyramids quite into summer— But they have exhausted themselves and are I fear dying from their exertions.

The same thing has happened to some boxes which I moved out of shade into sunshine, but to a better soil. The curious thing with them is that they grew well the first year and only this year have flowered themselves to death, the flowers appearing on every part of stem & branches

The Wedgwoods will I trust establish themselves here near us. It will be very pleasant to have them as neighbours—on many accounts—for myself & my daughter— And Effies songs reconcile me to the piano again³

Sincerely yours | T H Farrer