The gardin is going to do well this year. We will have plenty of vegetables. They are a great saving about a place, potatoes in particular. We felt the want of them very much this year. I have not written any of my sisters this long time now. I never was so long of writing them but really I do not no what to say till I see you. They were in hopes your going home and of course that is now prevented for a time but I hope not for long. Alex is doing a great deal better now and paying more attention to his busness. I am thankful to say but there is room for improvement yet but it may come on by degrees. I never say anything to him for I find it is the best way he has got such a temper. Any one but a relation can do better with him. There is no doubt but he is a capital manager if he was a little more careful about money matters. I will not say any more now till we meet which I hope will not be long. I am very much disapointed at not getting a letter from my wife by the last mail. In her former letter she said she would be writing me from London on her way out inclosing a policy of insurance on her life and a copy of all the things she would have with her. She told me in her last she had taken her passage in the ship Strathallan to sail about the 14 of August if so she may be here soon now. Sometimes I wish I had not incouraged her to come till this war was over or till I could be doing something for myself but I am certain if she was once here she would be of some advantage at the station. If we only had a small bit of a house for ourselves and Alex clear of the men which if I had the timber I would put up myself. £40 would pay for saving all the timber. That would build a nice little place but when you will come down