RKFP-012

Rockford. March 17th. 1849.

Dr Kennicott.

My Dear Sir,

Your favor of 9th inst came duly to hand yesterday and was gladly recived The inquiries propounded in yours concerning fruit cover the whole ground.

These questions properly considered will doubtless constitute much of the substance of your report. - It will give me great pleasure to lay before you every thing of interest concerning fruit in this region which I can obtain. I have recieved no instructions from Albany neither your Catalogue - delayed probably by bad roads - I wrote you on the 15th & yours came on 16th. In my letter I requested you to cut & preserve some scions for me & pack a box of bulbous roots ornamental shrubbery &c &c

I rush 3 or 4[underlined]. or more of your best kinds of 1st summer[underlined] - 2 autumn[underlined] - 3 winter apples - 3. or 4. each kind best. - few best plums - . I can get no pears of any kind in this region

There are some choice bearing trees here but no small trees for transplanting. I hope to be able to visit you before the time for grafting & transplanting shrubbery is passed. Our country is a very[underlined] new[underlined] one and we are destitute in the horticultural line. We hope however one day to make the Rock River country a garden - That man is a true - a real patriot - a public benefactor - who labors to develope the resources of his country and land[?] it to "blossom as the rose".

Please write me as soon & often as convenient.

[page turned] I shall be happy at all times to recieve communications from you and happier to see you face to face, which pleasure I hope to enjoy this spring Pardon haste & accept the high regard of Yours very truly Amon[underlined] S.[underlined] Miller[underlined]

P.S. Have you avy of the "Progress Apple" - formerly known as "Miller's best." - The old tree is a seedling on a farm formerly owned by a Mr Miller, in or near Middlfield Conn. (Mr Curtis Coe near that place - has a number of grafted trees of this kind; The apple is said to be a large handsome white apple good in Autumn[underlined] & Winter[underlined] also[underlined].

The old tree is a constant bearer & self sown as is said - This is said to be a very excellent apple.

Yours[underlined] ASM.[underlined]

Anson L Nulbrs[?]

[page turned] [postmark] ROCKFORD MAR 17 ILL.

[handwritten] Free Dr J. D. Kennicott P.M. The Grove Cook. Co. Ills.[underlined]