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Thursday 24th Novr. 1831 - Set out from Sydney at 12 o'clock accompanied by Col. Snodgrass to whom I bade adieu at the parting of the Liverpool & Paramatta Roads. - Met Mr D'Arcy. - reached Mr McArthurs at Paramatta about ½ past 3 o'clock - Although not very well Mr Macarthur went over his garden with me, and I was much gratified by the sight of many interesting trees and plants which that most ingenious gentleman is endeavouring to propagate in the colony - The Caper plant growing among rocks - the Cork tree is luxuriance - the English Oak - the horse chesnut - broom - magnificent mulberry trees - of 35 years growth- umbrageous & green - beds of roses accenting the whole garden & climbing roses - The state of his orange trees too was surprising - These he had cut off after the five year's drought - and now they formed flourishing symmetrical rows 16 ft high covered with young fruit - Mr McA. says that all fruit trees do well after being cut in this way, save apple trees - The vines were trellised in a new way learnt from the Greek pirates lately sent out - this was by twisting the vine round the sticks by which he said they produced more fruit. The soil seemed a good stiff clay but he said it was not very good. It is singular that strawberries cannot be made to bear in that garden - all that well worked extensive garden only three men are employed. Mr McArthur could only account for so much done by them, by saying that he got what he wanted from the garden - the little he wanted to give away - and that no enquiry was made about what became of the remainder - Mr McA led me to a very beautiful spot on the Paramatta River which he had offered to the Archdeacon for a school, he also showed me the fine level approach which might be made through his grounds to Paramatta - being rather interested in carrying the improvement into effect, which I certainly think would be one of great importance to Paramatta - Friday 25th Novr. I rose and 1/2 p 5 - found Mr McA & his son Mr James in the drawing room looking at some very fine wool - We had breakfast with the regularity of clockwork - and Mr James Macarthur accompanied me through Paramatta and some way on the road. I called on Mr Dunlop and saw him at Mr Walkers - he advised