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.
No summary available.
CD solicits JDH’s aid in obtaining Government funds for James Torbitt’s efforts to breed disease resistance in potatoes.
Thanks for letter. Prepared to continue experiments if aided. Thinks of distributing new [potato] varieties. Believes seeds should be planted this spring.
T. H. Farrer will consider which department of Government to apply to [for funds for potato experiments]. Government will probably ask Hooker for advice, so CD has written to him. How much money does JT need?
Fertilisation of wheat.
Would like to borrow Wilhelm Rimpau’s papers.
He is getting some of the Heracleum seed sowed and the Cycas planted. Does CD want anything done with the potatoes sent by James Torbitt?
No summary available.
Hopes to visit [Sara and William] later in the year.
CD again asks JDH to support Torbitt’s project to breed disease-resistant potatoes. He has also sought support of Farrer, Duke of Richmond, and James Caird.
T. H. Farrer has talked to James Caird. He believes Royal Agricultural Society will cultivate JT’s seeds. CD pledges £100 for JT’s own experiments.
Concerns [James] Torbitt’s potato plants and the question of their trial by the Experimental Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society and a request to the Government for the needed expense. THF and CD to set a date for consultation with the botanist [William] Carruthers.
Describes James Torbitt’s plan for producing disease-resistant potato varieties. [Letter is an earlier version of 11406.]
Supports Torbitt. Keenly aware of danger of growing crops from a single variety. Torbitt’s paper to Belfast BAAS meeting ["On the potato-disease", Rep. BAAS 44 (1874): 134] was sat upon.
Describes a post-mortem dissection of a chimpanzee’s brain. The several doctors who observed it were struck by its resemblance to the human brain.
Thanks for letter. Comments on SBJS’s research on Palaeolithic flint tools.
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.
His attempts to obtain a Government grant for Torbitt seem hopeless.
CD is suffering from constant swimming of the head.
No summary available.
Sends W. K. Clifford subscription.
Has been unwell and hardly able to do anything. Has seen Andrew Clark.