Rev. Thos. Baker
Dear Sir,

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the [?] containing a P.O. Order for sums of Twenty five dollars for the ensuing three months[first page partially illegible because it is overwritten]...pastures are very much injured by the frost and [things/thawing??]. You are probably well aware this ?? in turn kills the Red ?? but I am in hopes the ?? variety will be saved and with what little we have of it with our Timothy grass we hope to obtain sufficient hay for the coming winter without having to fall back, (as we have been compelled to do through an insufficiency of clover plants) on to crops of Hungarian grass which I believe are in the majority of cases injurious to our Horses, this of course occurs generally from the crop getting too ripe, when the seed is of a poisonous nature or being [oversappy??] is apt to heat in the mow. Our wheat so far looks remarkably well, although it has been much exposed from [want?] of snow. Your very kind and distinct remarks in connection with Mr. McQuesten's opinion, for which I feel much indebted, has quite set my mind at rest, it is now only a matter of the debtor's ability, whether my brother shall, or shall not get the $2000.00 bequeathed to him.

I am thankful today we are all able to attend to our duties and enjoy our provisions excepting Mrs. P. who still is very weak. John P. Baker paid us a visit of two days, Alice accompanying him, he is not looking very well, has been off-duty for some three weeks but hopes to return to work early next week. Minnie I understand is well. I have laid out (86) eighty six dollars in [?], as we expect wool to [??] Lambs [wool?] usually worth from two to three dollars when perpared for marked Leicester Ewes $6.00 pr head, Merino Ewes such as we had a few years back from Maine U.S. 3.00 pr head, we have six of these latter sort but have no [?] keeping them as [?????] I believe they are much more [?] when mixed with long wooled sheep.

I am sorry the boys do not appreciate their teacher who we believe very competent but worry that temperment and [???] that will win boys by kind words or example. I regret to say my eldest son dislikes the man, and prefers [???] to return [?] to his studies since an interval of sickness & this causes Willie to talk about writing to his Grandfather Baker and advise with him respecting learning a trade but I would prefer seeing both of these boys better informed before leaving school. Having filled my paper I conclude with our sincerest [??] wishes for the health of yourself, Mrs. B. and our Mrs. [Pike??] [??] Please give ?? our thanks to Mr. McQuesten[the rest of the letter is overwritten on the front page and is illegible].

John Puckridge