From James Caird 25 March 1880
8, Queen’s Gate Gardens. | S.W.
Mar 25. 80
My dear Sir
I am extremely obliged to you for sending me such full particulars of Mr. Torbitts experiments.1 I hope soon to be able to explain to the several gentlemen interested all that you have so kindly communicated. The scale on which the experiment is carried on is much larger than I imagined—and one can more easily understand the need of pecuniary help. As to the £60– sent by me. (which you may count as £50–from the Messrs Morrison & £10– from me— Sir Julian Goldsmid not having paid his—we shall keep him in reserve for a future application if need be:) pray retain, till you think proper to make use of it for the object in view. You need not send any other receipt than the mention you make of it in your letter.2
If Mr. Torbitt suceeds in getting a plant more than commonly capable of resisting the fungus we shall be all well repaid—& my friends & myself are perfectly satisfied to follow your lead in the matter.
Mr. Mulholland, M.P., a friend of mine, who lives near Belfast, has kindly undertaken as soon as his election is over, to visit Mr. Torbitts experimental fields, and report the result.3 This I shall communicate to you.
I notice that Mr. Torbitt promises that his vigorous potatoes will enable the British farmers to compete sucessfully with America in all agricultural live stock! If he can give us a potato that will supply a sound vegetable for our people we shall be quite content.4
Believe me Dear Sir | Very sincerely yours | James Caird
Charles Darwin Esq
Footnotes
Summary
Is impressed by the scale of Torbitt’s experiments. Discusses financial assistance. If Torbitt’s work succeeds, they will be amply repaid.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-12549
- From
- James Caird
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- London, Queen’s Gate Gardens, 8
- Source of text
- DAR 161: 4
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12549,” accessed on 17 July 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-12549.xml