Wants CD to forward to Chancellor of Exchequer a letter which explains the progress he has made in his potato crossing. Wants to print a CD letter to arouse public interest in the work.
Showing 1–20 of 25 items
The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
Wants CD to forward to Chancellor of Exchequer a letter which explains the progress he has made in his potato crossing. Wants to print a CD letter to arouse public interest in the work.
Thanks for letter. Prepared to continue experiments if aided. Thinks of distributing new [potato] varieties. Believes seeds should be planted this spring.
Problems of continuing with his crossing experiments; financial help from CD.
Talk of a subscription to help JT’s experiments. Progress of experiment; loss of fungus-resistance in varieties as they age.
Potato crossing experiments. Encloses printed copies of letters from people who have grown his potato seed.
Life history of potato varieties. Changes in fruit, flower, and seed production with increasing age of a variety.
Sales of [potato] varieties have reduced amount of money needed [for experiments].
Thanks for CD’s criticism and advice. The difficult question of whether varieties "wear out".
Thanks for £100; will pay for planting this year’s varieties.
Progress of experiments. Wants CD’s advice on best way to cross-fertilise his plants.
Has forwarded what he believes to be a new species of Solanum.
Apologises for his error over the Solanum.
Thanks CD for his good wishes; JT believes he will increase yield and disease-resistance by his crossing and selection.
Forwards letter from Victor Kennedy reporting on the growth of JT’s potatoes in W. Ireland.
Forwards letter from George Callwell reporting what a large and disease-free potato crop JT’s seed yields.
Has examined this year’s crop, which looks good; will prepare a report.
Comments on letter on potato experiments JT intends to publish. Will talk with T. H. Farrer concerning JT’s work. Could he undertake work if aided by moderate grant or subscription?
T. H. Farrer will consider which department of Government to apply to [for funds for potato experiments]. Government will probably ask Hooker for advice, so CD has written to him. How much money does JT need?
T. H. Farrer has talked to James Caird. He believes Royal Agricultural Society will cultivate JT’s seeds. CD pledges £100 for JT’s own experiments.
No use in thinking about Royal Agricultural Society. William Carruthers, botanist of Society, thinks attempt hopeless. T. H. Farrer and James Caird are thinking of application to Government. Makes suggestions about experiments [on potatoes].
T. H. Farrer and James Caird think it would be less trouble to get subscription from rich agriculturists than from Government. CD thinks it utopian to hope to raise variety of potatoes from seed; must be propagated from tubers.