Sir,

I beg most respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 15^th.—

I do not recollect seeing any difference in the pods of the four rows of Negro Bean, had there been I should not have failed in noticing it, particularly after reading your Article in the Chronicle.—¹

The Beans in question were not equally mature, but I am satisfied that the difference in colour did not arise from their not being sufficiently or properly ripened—

The plants of 1857 were certainly uniform in foliage &^c.—

The dozen pure Black sent to you were grown in 1856 ; most certainly they were not taken out of the crossed lot of 1857.²

Did you plant them with, or in the vicinity of the others?—

The matter is altogether new and somewhat extraordinary and I am truly glad that you feel so great an interest in the subject, for I feel quite assured that an article from your able pen will elicit much information.

With the greatest respect, | I have the honor to be, | Sir, | Your humble servant | Henry Coe. C. Darwin, Esq^r. | &^c &^c.—