cuttings 3 weeks ago and they are doing well. We also commenced a gardin under the foot of the hill above the house close to a spring which will arigate it at all times. Most beautiful soil and their I have planted 12 fine apple trees and some 9 peach trees also about 100 cuttings of willow trees and some root willows. I can only tell you I am delighted with hard work and altho I say it myself I was much wanted here for with my help I will cause this place to be the best in the district. I am shure you would be pleased to see us all so busy and diligent. I am always the first up at day light for I always had the practice. I will not spare no pains or labour of which there is plenty to make myself make myself [crossed out] better on shore than at sea. I wish to God I only was here long ago. The sheep are doing, they tell me, very well and have a great number of lambs. We would be cutting them next week but John the sheepherd got goored with his own cow dreadfully in the calf of the leg which we had to send for the Dr to dress it. It is a dreadful gash and may confine him to bed for a month so that Alex has to sheepherd himself now. We were obliged to speak to the wife about her extravagance as I never saw in all my travils such