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

Suggests Torbitt make a report on his progress so far.

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.

Encloses note and cheque from James Caird [for Torbitt].

Agrees that CD should write to the Times [about Torbitt’s potato experiments].

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.

Encloses letter from James Caird, who has entire confidence in CD’s appropriation of the money [collected for Torbitt’s experiments].

Replies to CD’s questions [in 12732] regarding the Abinger Hall excavations.

Torbitt.

Family news.

Sends the marked plans of the Abinger Hall excavation site.

Replies to CD’s questions about worms at Abinger ruins.

Notes and replies to queries on worm-castings and worm activity on a rubble-covered road.

Statement of money transactions with James Torbitt and record of year’s success enclosed. Torbitt desires him to return £90. He is doubtful of being able to continue this spring.

Concerning subscriptions raised for Torbitt’s experiments on potato disease.

Comments on CD’s latest book [Movement in plants].

On William Graham’s book [The creed of science (1881)].

Darwinism, chance, and the existence of evil.

Has received Earthworms.

Potatoes [from Torbitt experiment] sent him for eating were very poor. Those for seed produced abundantly, but have not resisted disease better than other kinds that Payne [his gardener] has grown.