[The surviving letter is badly water-stained, with sections eaten away by mould]
Sir,
I received your letter respecting the trees to plant at Bowden [missing text] I went yesterday to look at [missing text] & the following is the sort of [missing text] you should recommend to be planted & also the quantity to every acre, viz.
500 Ash for Poles & underwood
500 Beech for Timbers
500 Wych Elm - Underwood
100 Hazel - Do
500 Birch - Do
500 Scotch for Poles
500 Larch - Do
4000 Trees to every Acre 2 to 3 feet high
a few of the Ash, Wych Elm, & Birch can be left for Timber. I have sent samples of each of the sorts to Mr Awdry for his consideration as you desired it is such trees as I think will be most proper to plant if you have them smaller the rabbits will cut them off. I will engage to supply you with trees of sorts as stated above as [missing text] you may want for the sum [missing text] for every four thousand [missing text] to replace what may die the first year.
Mr Awdry said he expected your own Men would plant the trees if so I should advise you to have One Man from me that understands Planting & Mixing the trees to see the work done in a proper manner.
I remain Sir Your obedient servant
William Heale
Calne 17 Decr 1830
PS I have good evergreen privet should you want 30/ - pr 1000
[Address panel:]
H. F. Talbot Es [missing text]
No 31 Sackville St [missing text]
London