To W. E. Darwin   23 January [1872]1

Down

Jan. 23

My dear W.

Many thanks.— I will wait till after Dividend & chance it.— It will put off bother & it is always pleasant to receive a good dividend.—2

Amy Ruck has sent me some good observations on the fine soil on old ploughed land, being everywhere 2$\frac{1}{2}$ thick on top of slope & 4$\frac{1}{2}$ at base of slope.3 And another case of ridges & furrows running down a slope, which were almost obliterated at the base.—

The late storms of wind & rain I see have had great power on the recent castings on our nearly flat field— I saw scores presenting a section, thus

[DIAG HERE]

Yours affecty. | C. Darwin

Look, to old ridges on Southampton Common near you, on left going to Southampton $\frac{1}{4}$ or $\frac{1}{2}$ mile beyond the Turnpike.

Footnotes

The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from Amy Ruck to Horace Darwin, [20 January 1872].
The letter from William containing advice on an investment to which this letter is evidently a reply has not been found.

Summary

Discusses earthworm activity observed in old ploughed fields.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-8174
From
Charles Robert Darwin
To
William Erasmus Darwin
Sent from
Down
Source of text
Natural History Museum (General Special Collections MSS DAR 34)
Physical description
3pp