To T. H. Farrer   [28 February 1878] ¹

My dear Farrer.

I was extremely glad to get your note.² You & M^r Caird will, I think, do a good dead, if you can get the Agricul. Soc^y, to sow & rear, one good parcel of the cross fertilised seeds from the already partially selected parents, & I cannot doubt that M^r Torbitt will gladly give seeds & tubers to the Agricult^l. Soc.—³ This Soc would also be a most excellent channel for the distribution of any variety fungus proof or nearly fungus proof— On the other hand I know how laborious & wearisome the work would be and I cannot avoid the doubt, whether the trial would be energetically carried on without paternal care. It is astonishing how few persons have patience for long continued experimental work— Therefore I still think if it were possible to get a grant of a few hundred pounds it would be money well spent to permit M^r. Torbitt to carry on the work for a year or two longer in addition to the work carried on by the Agricultural Society. But, I shall be able to judge better when I hear from him.— I have asked him expressly what sum he would require—⁴ If he is half inclined to go on for another year without aid, I will offer him 100£ from myself; so promising do I think the experiment.

With hearty thanks for your excellent assistance.

Yours very sincerely. | Ch. Darwin.