Summary

Summary

If THF and James Caird [Enclosure Commissioner] approve of enclosed letter, CD will send it to Hooker.

Summary

Thanks THF and James Caird for their assistance. Will send back the £100 to Torbitt.

Summary

Has returned letter to Caird and dispatched corrected letter to Hooker [11406] [concerning potato experiments].

Summary

Doubts Ledum warrants investigation. Glands probably serve only to protect the flowers against crawling insects, which would not cross-fertilise them.

Summary

Has received Ledum with its captured flies.

"At present I care for nothing in this wide world except the biology of seedling plants."

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.

Summary

Forwards letter from James Caird concerning funds for potato experiments. CD will correct his letter to THF [11389] and then forward it to Hooker for his opinion.

Summary

THF would do a good deal if he gets Agricultural Society to rear cross-fertilised seeds. Society excellent channel for distribution of fungus-proof variety [of potato]. If James Torbitt will carry on work another year, CD will offer him £100.

Summary

Hooker approves of Torbitt’s plan [concerning potato experiments]. Torbitt, wine and spirit merchant in Belfast, highly respectable.

Summary

James Caird does not think Torbitt’s success justifies application to Government. Torbitt has four acres planted with seedlings. Has sent back CD’s £100. Shall CD insist that he keep it?

Summary

Describes James Torbitt’s plan for producing disease-resistant potato varieties. [Letter is an earlier version of 11406.]

Summary

T. H. Farrer has talked to James Caird. He believes Royal Agricultural Society will cultivate JT’s seeds. CD pledges £100 for JT’s own experiments.

Summary

No use in thinking about Royal Agricultural Society. William Carruthers, botanist of Society, thinks attempt hopeless. T. H. Farrer and James Caird are thinking of application to Government. Makes suggestions about experiments [on potatoes].

Summary

Sends £100 to JT. T. H. Farrer and James Caird think they can get another £100 next year [for potato experiments].

Summary

T. H. Farrer and James Caird think it would be less trouble to get subscription from rich agriculturists than from Government. CD thinks it utopian to hope to raise variety of potatoes from seed; must be propagated from tubers.

Summary

Sends JDH a letter he has written supporting James Torbitt’s potato trials.

Summary

Comments on letter on potato experiments JT intends to publish. Will talk with T. H. Farrer concerning JT’s work. Could he undertake work if aided by moderate grant or subscription?

Summary

CD again asks JDH to support Torbitt’s project to breed disease-resistant potatoes. He has also sought support of Farrer, Duke of Richmond, and James Caird.

Summary

Requesting permission to present a declaration against war to the Foreign secretary.