Lacock Abbey
Feby 13th
Sir
The weather still continues so very wet that I cannot plant the large trees – Inwood <1> is so wet that as soon as I put the spade into the ground the water springs up so that it is impossible to remove any from there. So I commenced at Wick Farm <2> and has got two ready but the water is so high that I cannot plant them in fact the pitts <sic> are invisible. I have planted the middle sized trees in the park and all fenced only four & these I cannot get at owing to the water and about the time that Inwood will be dry en<ough> <3> to remove trees from – it will be too far advanc<ed> <4> in the Season to remove any – Should the water be low enough to allow me to plant I hope I shall be able to plant the four that the holes were made for this week &c I hope you will please to say if I am to keep the men next week – Should the weather be fine there is plenty to do but not otherwise
in filling the pitts with garden earth I was obliged to take nearly one of the dahlia borders in length and about three feet deep the one next the tool house – it was surprising the quantity they took &c –
Your Obdt Huble Servt
C Fitzsimmons
H F. Talbot Esqr
Notes:
1. Inwood, near Lacock, Wiltshire.
2. Wick Farm, Lacock, Wiltshire.
3. Text obscured under seal.
4. Text obscured under seal.