Dear Sir

Pardon me once again if I trespass on your time.² If what I am about to call your attention is irrelevant, do not trouble to answer it. I reading your last book I was much struck with the results of self fertilization in Mimulus, where the new variety appeared with the white ground, and with increased powers of self fertilization.³ Varieties like this although perhaps having little chance in competition with the cross fertilized plants may be valuable to the Florist who rases plants for the public

It seems to me therefore that you have conferred a great boon on that profession or calling, in laying down a definite plan of action on which they may rely. Also the tendency to monstrosoty that you have noticed in self fertilized plants, is likely to be utilized by the sam⁠⟨⁠e⁠⟩⁠ people.⁴ Do not these observ⁠⟨⁠ations⁠⟩⁠ of yours account for some facts that have hitherto been to me a puzzle. I have been mixed up for a many years with enthusiastic amateur gardeners. The Spitalfields weavers. These men in my boyish days were passionately fond of Stocks⁵ and were the best growers of them I have ever known. there were usually one or tw⁠⟨⁠o who⁠⟩⁠ excelled in producing the greatest percent⁠⟨⁠age⁠⟩⁠ of doubles, and to be able to get a dozen of thier young plants or a pinch of thier seed was the desire of thier neighbours, as no seed supplied by the trade ever produced such good results. I believe these men never allowed more than two single plants to remain for seeding. were not therefore these men unconsciously isolating thier plants and encouraging self fertilization, and the increase of monstrosoty.

May I ask also if the new variety of Cotton that was written of by the correspondent of the Da⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠ at Alexandria, as having appeared spontaneously ⁠⟨⁠in⁠⟩⁠ the plantations in the Menutie district, have originated by this means⁶   If so what a vast field of enterprise is opened for the improvement of all Vegetable products.

With sincere apologies for my intrusion | I Remain Dear Sir | Yours gratefully | Alfred Grugeon