My dear M^r Darwin

I have at last badgered our Horticultural into a little self esteem and to the extent of establishing a working scientific committee.² The movement is a real one and all are entering into it heartily.

We have Hooker & Co from Kew and some other very good men on, and it would greatly gratify me personally as well as our people to see your name at least on our list.³ We should not desire your attendance but your occasional correspondence would be most valuable as we intend if possible to work a little in the line in which you, and I may add I myself, so much delight.

I was much pleased at your kindly “putting me into” your beautiful book.⁴ I must have a talk to you some day (on paper) about some points in it—

Can you scratch me up two or three of your Kentish Orchises. I am growing British Orchids with considerable success. I have at present only the Fly & Bee with Maculata Mascula Butterfly, Twayblade common Helleborine and Spiranthes.⁵ They grow with me just as easy as any other plant, in pots, in the Greenhouse during the growing period, and what is curious they thrive in the Moist Stove!⁶

I send you an offering of a pair of Hybridizing pincers of my own making

Very sincerely yours | R. Trevor Clarke