From George Sparkes 14 February 1872
Bromley in Kent
14/2/72
Dear Sir,
I feel sure I need make no formal apology for addressing you on a scientific subject.
There is an old neglected, and now very rare plant, the (dingy) blue Polyanthus, of which I enclose the first flower. For years I tried in vain to induce it to seed, and was told by Major T. Clarke1 that he had been equally unfortunate, but that its pollen was effective on other Primulas. I tried it on a beautiful Polyanthus, and raised a host of seedlings, which proved nothing but degenerate Polyanthus of the coarsest and worst description. A few had the faintest tinge of blue. One of these I again hybridized with the Primrose, but have yet to see the result.2
There seems to me nothing the matter with the ovary of the Primrose. I tried last year to fertilize it with Polyanthus pollen, but did not succeed. Perhaps I may have better luck this year—
The nonfertilization of the Cherimoya in England is very remarkable. I have made enquiries of the excurator at Kew, but neither there nor at Sion do they seem to know any thing about it—3 Friend Coles Child4 here has a plant. I recommended fresh air, dry atmosphere, & touching with a camel’s hair brush— But all in vain— I have suggested that he send you a flower when he next gets one. From Don’s description there is nothing in the flower differing from the flowers of other Annona.5 It is said to fruit in North Africa.
I remain | Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Geo Sparkes.
C. Darwin Esq
Footnotes
Bibliography
Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.
‘Dimorphic condition in Primula’: On the two forms, or dimorphic condition, in the species of Primula, and on their remarkable sexual relations. By Charles Darwin. [Read 21 November 1861.] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society (Botany) 6 (1862): 77–96. [Collected papers 2: 45–63.]
Don, George. 1831–8. A general history of the dichlamydeous plants: arranged according to the natural system. 4 vols. London: J. G. and F. Rivington.
Summary
Describes some crosses he has carried out with Primula;
mentions the infertility of cherimoyer [Annona cherimola] in England.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-8213
- From
- George Sparkes
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Bromley
- Source of text
- DAR 177: 223
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 8213,” accessed on 13 May 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-8213.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 20