Showing 41–60 of 89 items
Hooker is greatly overworked at Kew and is trying to get the Government to provide some help. CD hopes THF will take an interest in the matter and forwards a copy of JDH’s application for an assistant.
Payne will send vine cuttings.
Thomas Belt has been visiting; they are to meet Huxley.
He is moved by denudation of the Weald.
Asks CD’s opinion of an experiment on Drosera.
Questions CD on sale of his books in America by Appleton and other publishers; copyright and translation rights.
Much pleased with CD’s book [Cross and self-fertilisation]. Is struck by width and caution of his generalisations and by the application of experiment to processes of life hitherto merely observed.
Counted 40 worm-holes after rain; four or five in the wall.
Sends two papers on Roman ruins at Cirencester, which he asks CD to return.
Worm observations.
Sends "worm journal" – observations of earthworm activity at Abinger.
Hive-bees captured in tubes of nectary of Tritoma. Seems a maladaptation of the bees.
THF would do a good deal if he gets Agricultural Society to rear cross-fertilised seeds. Society excellent channel for distribution of fungus-proof variety [of potato]. If James Torbitt will carry on work another year, CD will offer him £100.
CD’s quest for Government support for potato experiments by James Torbitt.
Describes James Torbitt’s plan for producing disease-resistant potato varieties. [Letter is an earlier version of 11406.]
Forwards letter from James Caird concerning funds for potato experiments. CD will correct his letter to THF [11389] and then forward it to Hooker for his opinion.
Agricultural Society will not do potato experiments. Torbitt telegraphs that seeds to be sown tomorrow. Memorial with a few signatures might get grant from Government. Hooker believes plan the right one.
If THF and James Caird [Enclosure Commissioner] approve of enclosed letter, CD will send it to Hooker.
Believes letter from CD endorsed by JDH will virtually guarantee Government or private support for Torbitt’s experiments. Queries experimental procedure.
Caird agrees that there will be no difficulty in getting finances.
Has returned letter to Caird and dispatched corrected letter to Hooker [11406] [concerning potato experiments].
Hooker approves of Torbitt’s plan [concerning potato experiments]. Torbitt, wine and spirit merchant in Belfast, highly respectable.
What does Torbitt propose to do with CD’s £100; does he want another £100 now or soon?
