To T. H. Farrer [4 March 1878]1
4. Bryanston St.
Monday.
My dear Farrer.
As you have been so very kind, I should like to report Progress on Potato Question—2 Mr Caird called yesterday, and I was very glad to see him nobody could be more energetic & obliging. I quite forgot to return to him the enclosed documents, & this is one reason why I now write to you—3
The Agricult. Soc. will not do, as Mr Caird will explain— I am sure there is very little weight in Mr. Carruther’s objections.4
Mr. Torbitt telegraphs. that now he has got my £100, seeds shall be sown tomorrow.5 He says that to continue work with the tubers also. he ought to have another £100— He adds that he hopes he may be able to go on next year without money aid— I have written advising him to moderate the extent of his trials.6 Mr Caird took away the long letter which I had written to you when we thought of the Agricult Soc— He asked whether he might show it to anyone & I agreed but I could have improved it greatly. so far as relates to shewing anyone that it is the most hopeful scheme.—7
I daresay if I had strength to get up a memorial with a few good signatures we might have got a small grant from Government; but I have not the strength.
Hooker writes strongly that he believes the plan to be the right one; & has given analogous advice to coffee growers in India—8 Mr Caird did not seem to think it hopeless to get aid somehow; but I doubt greatly.
I shall ever feel obliged for your kindness and wisdom of your advice. | Yours very truly. | Ch. Darwin.
Footnotes
Summary
Agricultural Society will not do potato experiments. Torbitt telegraphs that seeds to be sown tomorrow. Memorial with a few signatures might get grant from Government. Hooker believes plan the right one.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-11397
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Thomas Henry Farrer, 1st baronet and 1st Baron Farrer
- Sent from
- London, Bryanston St, 4
- Source of text
- DAR 144: 89
- Physical description
- C 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11397,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-11397.xml