From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
3 June [1869]
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL9.6)
Summary:
Declines invitation.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 July 1875
Source of text:
DAR 165: 42
Summary:
Thiselton-Dyer has asked on CD’s behalf for results of experiments at Rothamsted on herbage of permanent meadow land. Sends report and tables of botanical analysis.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
11 Aug 1875
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Apologises for keeping the tables so long [see 10090]. The results seem extremely curious.
Comments on paper by JHG and J. B. Lawes.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
31 Dec 1875
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Discusses fairy rings.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 Jan 1876
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Thanks for a copy of Insectivorous Plants.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
16 Feb 1876
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Describes self- and cross-fertilisation experiments.
Asks JHG’s advice on setting up an experiment designed to test whether the cause of variation in cultivated plants lies in different substances absorbed from the soil when absorption is not interfered with by other plants in a state of nature. Can JHG suggest how he can get soil free of all the substances which plants naturally absorb?
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Mar 1876
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Discusses in detail how to prepare for experimental purposes a soil that lacks nutrients.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
[before 9 Mar 1876]
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Thanks for advice concerning preparation of soil for experiments. Will order the salts. Asks about burning soil or washing it with acid.
Thanks for invitation. His son [Francis] would like to inspect JHG’s plots.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
9 Mar 1876
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Sends advice on preparing and washing soil in preparation for CD’s experiments.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
8 June 1876
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Asks about constituents of burnt soil.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Francis Darwin
Date:
10 June 1876
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
On burnt soils.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
5 Feb 1881
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Asks whether vegetable mould has an acid reaction. The contents of intestines of earthworms and castings are acid, which leads him to inquire about mould.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
22 Feb 1881
Source of text:
DAR 165: 43
Summary:
The laboratory has scarcely any experimental evidence on acidity of humus soil and earthworm excreta. Refers CD to some sources of information.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
25 Feb 1881
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Discusses acidity of earthworm castings. JHG’s reply will make him more cautious.
Would like to see W. A. Detmer’s paper [Landwirtsch. Versuchs-Stat. 14 (1871): 248–300] and S. W. Johnson’s work [How crops feed].
Comments on food value of white and brown bread.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Mar 1881
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Sends some books.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
15 Mar 1881
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Returns the two books JHG had lent him. "I can plainly see I had better say nothing about the acidity of common mould."
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
5 June 1881
Source of text:
DAR 165: 44
Summary:
Invites CD to visit Rothamsted. The experimental plots are at their best "as illustrating the vast influence of external conditions on the character and results of the struggle between the numerous components of an established mixed herbage".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
8 June 1881
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Regrets that he has not strength enough to visit [Rothamsted].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
9 Jan 1882
Source of text:
DAR 165: 45
Summary:
Thanks CD for Earthworms.
Discusses the problem of accounting for difference between nitrogen in permanent grassland and ordinary arable soil. Finds castings of earthworms rich in nitrogen. Asks CD if his observations enable him to explain the source. If from below top-soil, it would be a considerable manuring.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Joseph Henry Gilbert
Date:
12 Jan 1882
Source of text:
Rothamsted Research (GIL13)
Summary:
Quantity of nitrogen in castings surprises CD.
Comments on papers: [J. B. Lawes and J. H. Gilbert, "Results of experiments on mixed herbage, pt 1", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 171 (1880): 289–416; Gilbert, Lawes and M. T. Masters, "pt 2: The botanical results", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 173 (1882): 1181–413].
Has never made sections to see how deep worms burrow – five or six feet is probable. Wishes the problem had arisen when he made his observations.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project