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.

Discusses sterility of potato flowers.

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

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".

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

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.

Discusses methods of fertilising potatoes.

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.

Congratulates JT on success in breeding potato varieties.

Has found no [potato] variety whose foliage can resist the parasite, except when grown under glass.

Has had an account of his experiments published. Sends CD some specimens of seedlings and tubers.

Describes one of his varieties of potato in its third and fourth years. [CD notes his observations on this variety grown at Down, July 1879.]