RKBP-604

Garlinville, Apr. 27th '59 My dear cousin Dr. Kennicott, yours of the 18th inst. comes to ham??? on Saturday last; but various duties have called so imperiously as to allow no time time for reply still this minute, and even now a notice to attend a funeral this evening will compel me to be brief. The box was addressed to yourself "West Northfield, Ills. ---- Care of T? Emery HCO. Chicago, Ills." It was delivered to the Express Agt. time for this evening train, and I supposed it would reach Mr. E. [word after E. is illegible] morning, who would send it to you that evening. Knowing the Agt. here I took as a bill, and I must think the delay has been somewhere else. if it fails to arrive in good season to save the roses I hope you will let me know it; for they were started to grow. What dreadful cold work are you all at up there

that the North- [wind coretionres] so fierce? Hope you are not disolving the Union! I do not take the "Prairie Farmer" should try to make good use of it on the conditions you suggest. I can make it an amusement to bud you some roses, if you need them, and should be please with the exchange; for we have but few bulbs The only stock I ever used or know anything about, is the common "Blush rose" of the [variety]. If your stock is better, and the season not too far advanced, I should be pleased to try it under your instructions. I can furnish you buds from about 20 [Noisetts]-- 10 Bourbons-- 6 Teas --3 [Microphgllas]-- and some 50 to 60 [Remontrants] with a few Bengals-- suppose you will want no annuals-- Perhaps no [Remoritanto]

My [remontarts] stand out all winter without protection. The other families are more tender, and some sorts in each family are more delicate than others--The Souvenir-- among the Bourbons is quite tender; but the Jupi ter will bear + 20 F. without injury. The Ophire among the Noisetts is quite tender; but the Phaloe is as hardy as the Jupiter or Gen. Dubourg of the Bourbons. Any of them will bear +25° F. with safety [unage] the wind is fierce. To protect during winter I raier the eather about them where they grow so as to shed the water-- say 3 inches on each side-- them plow dry strand about them to the thicking of 18 inches at the ground and taper to 18 in. or 2 feet high, then cover with boards so as to keep dry--In this way I saved 400 last winter without losing any that had formed hard wood

The first winter I spent here I lost some $50'0 worth, and some very fine ones which I have root since been able to replace-- The grape Myrtle I protect as the delicate roses-- If any wind ever bears me up north, I shall struggle hard to turn my course toward "The Grove" -- I think I should enjoy it-- I have little to [boust] of here-- We are trying hard to reduce a [qr.] section of uncivilized prai -ry to christian [cutters. ] Have it fined and nearly all broke-- a house is up but no bard yet--I serve the church and work the garden. The boys take the farm-- We call our place "Sunny Side."-- A messenger calls me to visit an afflicted family -- I must goYours truly and always E. M' Millan