To James Torbitt   30 July 1877

Dear Sir

Your letter seems to me very clear and good, and I hope that the Daily News will accede to your very liberal proposition. I do not take in this Paper. If therefore any Report is made will you kindly send me a copy?¹ I would suggest an alteration in p. 3. your selection plan is more important probably than cross-fertilisation. Therefore I would suggest that your sentence should run somewhat as follows. “Mr. Darwin permits me to say that my plan, namely the preservation during successive generations of those seedling plants, all the tubers of which are sound, and the destruction of all other plants, in conjunction with cross-fertilisation, is in his opinion by far the most likely method by which to obtain a sound &c. &c. &c. &c.”

On p. 2 is not the statement that the difference can be seen at the distance of a “couple of miles” too strong?

Heartily wishing you success I remain, dear Sir, | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin.