Showing 41–54 of 54 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.
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.
Discusses sterility of potato flowers.
Asks how much aid JT requires [for potato experiments].
Sends £100 to JT. T. H. Farrer and James Caird think they can get another £100 next year [for potato experiments].
JT may publish enclosed [letter by CD?], but it is not worth publication.
Discusses methods of fertilising potatoes.
Congratulates JT on success in breeding potato varieties.
Encourages JT’s experiments. His case of flowering of black potatoes is curious. CD surprised that they are odoriferous and visited by bees. This letter was thought to be to David Moore, because it was in the private collection of a descendant, but is extremely close to a draft to JT on the letter from JT, 30 April 1879 (DCP-LETT-12020). It is not known how it passed from JT to David Moore.
Has seen newspaper accounts of JT’s potato experiments. T. H. Farrer wants to know whether JT has published any account of them, and how much assistance he needs.
Wrote to T. H. Farrer about JT’s potato experiments. Would be calamity if JT were prevented from trying successful fungus-proof variety for a few more years.
Describes problems of raising money [for potato experiments]. "A Government official in another office remarked to me that it was very difficult for Ministers to decide what to do in such cases as they must be prepared for mere cavillers in the H[ouse] of Commons."
Glad to hear about vines.
Hopes JT will be able to continue work without Government aid. "It is enough to sicken one to see how politicians waste their time squabbling and neglect doing any good."