Letter – Nicholas Walton to Edward Nicholson – 23 Mar 1759

To Mr Edward Nicholson                    		Ravensworth Castle  March.  23rd  1759



Mr Nicholson

      We reced. your Letter of the 22nd  January last, and approve of what you have done as to the Mill, and you may immediately get the Kiln done as you say it will not cost much, let it be done Frugally and well.  I hope you have put all the Acorns in the ground pursuant to the orders given you in our Letter of the 10th December last; and this serves to acquaint you, that you will receive by the Alston Carrier next Tuesday, One Thousand Beech Trees, to be planted in the Island and other places agreeable to the Directions of the 10th December last.  Where the Wood is not removed in the Island, I presume it may be done at a very small expence to one place or Corner of the Island where it may be afterwards removed by Water at pleasure without interfering with the Trees that you Plant, and in case Mr Spedding have not done it let it be so removed to a Corner of the Island at our expence.  And as it is necessary to have the Trees immediately Planted, I desire that may be done without delay at about ten feet distance from the Acorns which are dibled into the Ground; that is the Beeches will then stand at Twenty feet distance but if you see any reason to alter as to the distance you may vary as you Judge proper.  If the Season should be frosty when the Trees come to hand let them all be unmatted & put with their Roots into the Ground so as to preserve them from frost and keep them fresh until the Season is favourable for Planting.  I shall be glad to have you Consult Mr. Christian as to the preserving the Trees from Frost and as to the manner of Planting as I take him to be a very good Judge in these matters.   I am

      Yours etc

      Nichos. Walton