I fear his cellor costs him far to much. However it is not my busness but I did not like things that I saw and I do not think it did poor Alic any good, but on the contrary incouraged him in his vice by saying that all their squatters lived at hotells and were never about their stations. That might answer rich men but not people striving to make a living. John was anxious to get a run himself some times and at other times he was for going home a trip. I told him it was usless to go home with his wife in that state without he was thinking of doing some busness that would pay his expences. It appears that Nairn wants to sell his sheep and Alick said he was going to make him an offer for them. I supose you understand all about that affair. The half of that place would answer me very well if it can be got. I think the old arrangement that I had with Condie would suit you also as it would save so much sheepherding but really the state of the country is very uncertain and one does not know what to do for the best. I am busy planting the padock behind the house this last week, removing all the trees I had in the nursery into it. I am still burning every opportunity. We have finished all our grass seed for the year but I hope to have a better variety for the hills next year as the bees are doing very well and will seed the clover and the other mixed grasses ought to yeald a good lot of seed also. My wife got a great variety of plants while at Napier from Mr Tiffin who was very attentive to her and so was Mr Smith. She had two large box full of plants on the dray. I now must tell you from Douglas to mind and bring the dog Fido down here. He wants me to put you in mind to bring it. Ever your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean