Text Online
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Kemp
Date:
7 Apr [1843]
Source of text:
Cambridge University Library (MS Add. 10252/14)
Summary:
CD will sent seeds to specialists for identification.
Contributor:
Ruth Cramond
Showing 1–20 of 21 items
CD will sent seeds to specialists for identification.
Has not yet heard from R. Brown, but John Lindley thinks species will probably turn out to be common ones.
Thanks for the account and drawings of the plants.
Longing for a letter from WK. Describes various excurions through Fife.
Seeds sent by Kemp have germinated and been identified by Lindley as Rumex acetosella and an Atriplex which has been sent on to J. S. Henslow.
Requests WK to send samples of rock commonly found around Cupar to enable TW the more easily to identify them.
Compliments JSH on his account of the excavation of tumulus at Ringham. Says he has not seen Cuscuta in local region but may have seen evidence of it in scorched appearance of Berkshire clover fields.
States that his wheat harvest is not as good as previous year, but less mildewed. Describes experiment of growing different varieties of wheat in his garden, undermined by rats gaining access to them. Has observed a field of mustard on one of his farms, farmer states that it is good food for sheep and partridges.
Comments on the importance of John Warne’s flax growing scheme and growth of a large quantity of flax on a single acre at Thaxted. Also comments favourably on Warne’s theory of feeding oxen in boxes.
Fears he will have few guests for the Saffron Walden Agricultural Society annual meeting but pleased that JSH will be in attendance along with Edward Everett, the American Ambassador. JSH to advocate cooperative agricultural experiments at the meeting.
Will have a close look at the plants in a few days’ time.
No summary available.
WK’s paper has reached him safely.
J. S. Henslow expresses his doubts about WK’s seeds.
No summary available.
J. S. Henslow’s and C. C. Babington’s opinions on WK’s seeds.
No summary available.
TW saw many curious formations between Carnwath and Currie and wondered whether they were glacier morains.
CD has been reflecting on John Lindley’s and C. C. Babington’s comments.
No summary available.
CD is pleased with how good a case WK’s facts have made.
Robert Brown has cast much doubt on the integrity of the seed-planting experiment.
Has sent WK’s paper to the Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Kemp 1844).