Search: Torbitt, James in correspondent 
1870-1879::1878 in date 
Charles Darwin in collection 
Sorted by:

Showing 120 of 25 items

From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Feb 1878
Source of text:
DAR 52: E2, DAR 178: 137
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
26 Feb 1878
Source of text:
DAR 148: 96
Summary:

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?

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
28 Feb 1878
Source of text:
DAR 144: 484
Summary:

Thanks for letter. Prepared to continue experiments if aided. Thinks of distributing new [potato] varieties. Believes seeds should be planted this spring.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
[28 Feb 1878]
Source of text:
DAR 148: 97
Summary:

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?

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
1 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 148: 98
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
4 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 148: 99
Summary:

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].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 138
Summary:

Problems of continuing with his crossing experiments; financial help from CD.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
11 Mar [1878]
Source of text:
DAR 148: 100
Summary:

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.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 139
Summary:

Talk of a subscription to help JT’s experiments. Progress of experiment; loss of fungus-resistance in varieties as they age.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
15 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 140
Summary:

Potato crossing experiments. Encloses printed copies of letters from people who have grown his potato seed.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
17 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 141
Summary:

Life history of potato varieties. Changes in fruit, flower, and seed production with increasing age of a variety.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
20 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 148: 102
Summary:

Discusses sterility of potato flowers.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
21 Mar [1878]
Source of text:
DAR 148: 102
Summary:

Asks how much aid JT requires [for potato experiments].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 142
Summary:

Sales of [potato] varieties have reduced amount of money needed [for experiments].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 143
Summary:

Thanks for CD’s criticism and advice. The difficult question of whether varieties "wear out".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
31 Mar 1878
Source of text:
DAR 148: 103
Summary:

Sends £100 to JT. T. H. Farrer and James Caird think they can get another £100 next year [for potato experiments].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 Apr 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 144
Summary:

Thanks for £100; will pay for planting this year’s varieties.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
26 June 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 145
Summary:

Progress of experiments. Wants CD’s advice on best way to cross-fertilise his plants.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
James Torbitt
Date:
28 June 1878
Source of text:
DAR 148: 105
Summary:

Discusses methods of fertilising potatoes.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
James Torbitt
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
12 Sept 1878
Source of text:
DAR 178: 146
Summary:

Has forwarded what he believes to be a new species of Solanum.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project