Henry William Ravenel, 1814-1887: Private Journal 1870-1872:Page 5

January 1870 Home

seasonable weather for near two weeks. Mary has had a severe attack of Catarrh, & her cough is still troublesome. It has weakened her very much & reduced her in flesh. There is still much soreness about the chest. & cough very distressing & painful.

M. 24 Received yesterday evening a letter from S. L Guston of Macon Ga, in reply to mine about the planting & sending to market of Asparagus. - also a letter from P. Hanson with some pens. cloudy & warm. Harry has commenced to trim the Roses & plant out cuttings.

T. 25 Received last night a letter from Dr. Elias Horlbeck of Charleston asking information about Scuppernong grape - Harry finished planting out Rose Cuttings in nursery West of Piazza three rows & a half.

W. 26 Cleared off at last with mild moderate weather. We have had an unusually mild winter thus far. -- & the same at the North.

Th. 27 Received a letter from Dr Parry on the subject of collecting specimens of Woods of our forest trees for the Ag, Dept. He thinks that about S3.00 for a half dozen specimens of each Species would be a fair price. - I also received a letter from Rowena in acknowledgement of the $500 Bond sent at Christmas.