Martin Farquhar Tupper to Faraday   9 June 1842¹

Milton House, Brighton (near Russell Square), | June 9, 1842.

My dear Sir, - As you took so lively an interest in my resuscitated mummy-wheat², I think the communication following will bear to you its own apology for this intrusion. A little crop (the product of some fourteen grains) is now in full ear and flowering in my garden: the increase is very great, the ears averaging, I should say, seven inches long, and there being, or about to be, from fifteen to twenty ears on each root, springing from one grain: the blades and stalks are uncommonly strong, and altogether, even to unfarmer-like eyes, the crop has assumed an un-English appearance: although, of course, wheat is but wheat, and therefore very like wheat. To unbelievers, as you know, miracles are nothing, and perhaps are impossible; but it is gratifying to find, that our now perfectly restored triticum of the third year bears evidence of its exotic nature. * * * * * I ought by the way, to remark, that the soil is common light garden-soil, unmanured, and that the crop has had no particular care: that which I grew in a hot greenhouse dwindled and spindled away into nothing but aphides; but my careless crop is capital. - I beg, &c. very faithfully yours, Martin F. Tupper