Thanks THF and James Caird for their assistance. Will send back the £100 to Torbitt.

Has received Ledum with its captured flies.

"At present I care for nothing in this wide world except the biology of seedling plants."

Doubts Ledum warrants investigation. Glands probably serve only to protect the flowers against crawling insects, which would not cross-fertilise them.

Wishes to call on THF to discuss the situation with regard to Horace Darwin [who wishes to marry THF’s daughter, Emma Cecilia (Ida)].

Rejoices at THF’s consenting to the marriage of his daughter Ida and Horace Darwin, although the match is a poor one for Ida "in a worldly point of view". [See 12253.]

Forwards newspaper reports by growers of Torbitt’s potatoes. Torbitt is in much distress and CD fears all his work will be thrown away unless he is aided.

Discusses financial and other arrangements for marriage of Horace Darwin and Ida Farrer. Mentions anticipated inheritance of children.

Has written to Torbitt.

Received enclosed report from Torbitt on potato experiments.

Torbitt too poor to go on with [potato] experiments. If anything is to be done it must be by Government.

No summary available.

[Letter written as a postscript to 11406.] CD has reread his letter of 7 Mar 1878 about the value of James Torbitt’s work on the potato disease and has nothing to withdraw. Emphasises Torbitt’s need for immediate financial help.

Describes subscription for Torbitt [to continue potato experiments]. Would dislike writing to any paper, but Hensleigh [Wedgwood] and Erasmus [Darwin] advise CD to write to the Times.

Thanks THF for his contribution; now has £170 to permit Torbitt to carry on his experiments. Describes the scale of the experiments and his belief in their value.

Sends some questions raised by THF’s notes on earthworms at Abinger; he plans to use them in his book.

Questions the exact location of rooms and trenches at Abinger excavation [for Earthworms].

Thanks THF for notes on Abinger excavation. Asks for more castings.

THF’s copybook has cleared up all points. The castings are invaluable. Encloses further queries [missing].

Is worried about brick particles in worm-castings. Asks THF for castings from a site where possible error would be avoided.

Has started experiment to see whether particles of stone become rounded in the gizzards of worms.