Dear Sir,

In reply to your enquiry about Hollyhocks, the sorts were all growing in one bed, and in rows many plants of each kind in a row—¹

As it regards Cabbages & Savoy &c I have found the purple Cale or Kale to be the most infectious of all Varieties—² a few years agone, a Cottager $\frac{1}{2}$ a mile distance was growing some for Seed and to my knowledge no Kale was nearer—and yet my pure stocks became seriously affected with purple bastards (sic Shakespear) the year following.

In this case insects were the probable Carriers.

Believe me Dear Sir | Your obliged Servant | William Masters

Ch Darwin Esqr