Incomplete letter received by Banks from an unknown correspondent,18 August 1804 (Series 72.197) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Augt 18 1804

[See image for Diagram with labelling - 2 feet  - on left hand side, Brick - at base, 18 Feet, the Highest of one Wall - on right hand side]

In a small House which I proposed building for the purpose of forcing Strawberries in the Winter nearly Spring & Grapes afterwards I intended to support the Strawberry Plants (as they succeed only near the Glass) on a Kind of Ladder & Steps reared against the Back-Wall parrallel with the Glass with spaces between as the dotted line shows in this sketch.  The plants must of Course be planted either in pots or Boxes; but I prefer the latter, because the pots are so much destroyed by the Frost.  Under this Mode of Management the White Alpine Strawberry might be brought to Table much earlier than you propose, & might be succeeded by later Kinds.

In this Sketch the Elevation of the Roof is about 38 degrees, which I think is as steep as any Roof ought to be, & is vertical to the Sun in the Beginning