| Description | A printed account of Talavera wheat, dated Edinburgh, 22d February 1817, commencing: 'A few years ago, an English Gentleman, serving with the Army in Spain, observed, near Talavera, a fine Variety of Wheat; some of the Seed of which he brought with him to England...' The account gives a description of the wheat variety, its distribution in Scotland, and an extract of a letter by a Mr.William Spershot. There follows a set of manuscript growing notes by Dr. Gregory, apparently addressed to Alexander Stewart, commencing: 'Give your Talavera Wheat fair play. Allow it a rich warm wall sheltered spot in your Garden...'; also giving advice on the planting of 'The Perennial Blue Lupine' [lupin].
Endorsed by Alexander Stewart: 'Octr. 18 1817. Sowed in my Garden 20 Grains of Talavera Wheat, 15 inch asunder'. Also inscribed: 'Letters & Inscriptions of Dr. Gregory'. |