Sir Thomas Frankland, Thirkleby, [Yorkshire], to Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

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Ref No GB-110/JES/COR/15/56
Title Sir Thomas Frankland, Thirkleby, [Yorkshire], to Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]
Letter date 11 Mar 1818
Author(s) Sir Thomas, 6th baronet Frankland 1750-1831
Number of Pages 7

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GB-110/JES/COR/15/56 from Sir Thomas Frankland, Thirkleby, [Yorkshire], to Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk] (11 March 1818)

Metadata for GB-110/JES/COR/15/56 from Sir Thomas Frankland, Thirkleby, [Yorkshire], to Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk] (11 March 1818) Close

Item data

Item Type: Document
From: Frankland, Sir Thomas
Sent from: Thirkleby, Yorkshire
To: Smith, Sir James Edward
Sent to location: Norwich, Norfolk
Summary:

Discussion of melons: should not have dismissed Great Mogul before Smith tried it, and read of a fine variety brought from Persia by Sir Gore Ouseley [1st baronet (1770-1844)] but till he tastes it will stick with the Green Egyptian. Will determine whether the plant he sent Smith is 'Sonchus arvensis var' with seeds he saved. Low barometer readings during recent storm: 28.17 on Wedneday at Thirkleby and 27.95 at Gordon Castle, [Moray], their wind "trifling compared to its fury in the South" and no damage to his house built on hill but skylight and tiles on his son's house in Curzon Street, [London], were damaged and trees uprooted in Chesterfield Gardens.
Trying to find plants unattractive to rabbits and hares after having to cradle 'Pyrus japonica' sent by [James] Lee: has not ascertained whether it is true that they only interfere with transplants and not those sown directly; 'Rhododendron ponticum' grown in the wood, box and privet safe but American bird cherry, 'Hippophae', 'Aucuba japonica' and juniper destroyed. Convinced a neighbouring nurseryman to write his labels in the more durable Indian ink. Surprised to receive letter of thanks from Horticultural Society for the Newton pippin apples he sent to [James] Dickson. Intends to search for ferns and mosses by side of Hambleton, [Yorkshire], believes no botanist has been there before.
Gathering evidence on power of crossbills to kill young rooks; Norfolk Eton boys used to speak of them being shot with bolts. Mentions his son's growing interest in natural history, especially geology, and encloses specimen as example [undisclosed]. His health good but Lady Frankland gradually failing from complaint of several years standing from which none have ever recovered, she is frequently attended by Sir Everard Home and Atkinson of York.
Small sketch in ink of plant detail "'Aspidium thelypteris (from Mr Teesdale) confirms you descrip[tio]ns in "English Botany" by the length of lower leaves, very ill figured by [James] Sowerby".

Letter date: 11 Mar 1818
Languages: English
Prev Ref No: 15.101
Additional Information:
Note typeNote
Finding AidsDawson, W R (1934). "Catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of The Linnean Society - Part I. The Smith papers: The correspondence and miscellaneous papers of Sir James Edward Smith", London: Linnean Society.
Related MaterialSmith, J E, and Sowerby, J, (1790-1814). "English Botany" London.
AdditionalSmith replied 30 Aug 1819