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Dr. C.W. Short Lexington, Ky, 21st Dec 1819
Hopkinsville

Dear Sir

I have rec'd your favr. 6th. Instt. and although partly
disappointed in observing that you have neglected me this
year: I trust that you will fulfil your promises next Spring
& amply compensate for both years. Since you mean to watch
your vegetation closely next year, I would advise you and
even beg, that you may at the same time keep a
kind of Journal of the progress of vegetation, in the blossomg
building, foliation &c of your plants, shrubs & trees, &c
noticing when you shall first see in blossom every plant.
I am going to keep the same kind of Journal here. I
have already two such Journals from near Pittsburg &
the banks of the Wabash kept by Dr. Muller; and from
all those I hope to be enabled to draw a Comparative
Vernal [Calendarium?] of the Western States. You
know that such Journals are very interesting in many
points of view, & particularly in acquiring a comparative
knowledge of climates. I invite you to begin yours in
January, carry it as far as the end of May, and then
throughout the whole year ocasionally, if it is useful to
know the first flowers of Spring, it is not all so to know
the last days of Autumn.

Your cousin young Mr. Ridgely, has presented me
a small, but fine collection of plants, collected with you,