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

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

His attempts to obtain a Government grant for Torbitt seem hopeless.

CD is suffering from constant swimming of the head.

Summary

Thanks for letter. Comments on SBJS’s research on Palaeolithic flint tools.

Summary

Has been poorly.

Comments on goose with abnormal wing.

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

Thanks for essays by ASW ["Experiments with turnip seeds", Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh 13 (1876–9): 25–39, and a short notice, "Experiments in singling turnips"] and Aegilops seed.

Summary

CD’s gardener says not to sow onion seeds until middle of March. Should he risk sowing them at once?

Summary

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

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

The strongest argument for the existence of God is the intuitive feeling that there must have been an intelligent beginner of the universe; "but then comes the doubt and difficulty whether such intuitions are trustworthy". CD is forced to leave the problem insoluble. "No man who does his duty has anything to fear, and may hope for whatever he earnestly desires."

Summary

Sends FS some specimens of harvesting ants along with the observations of their habits made by Mary Treat. If the facts are new, he believes that Mrs Treat would be gratified by their being mentioned before the Entomological Society. [See 11422.]

Summary

Authorises publication of a Bohemian edition of Origin.

Summary

CD gives his opinion on how the physiological laboratory at Kew should be equipped. It would be a pity if the laboratory were not supplied with as many good instruments as their funds could provide.

Summary

Thanks for second lot of Aegilops seed.

Summary

Discusses sterility of potato flowers.

Summary

Asks how much aid JT requires [for potato experiments].

Summary

Asks RM to send a copy of the Entomological Society’s Proceedings to Fritz Müller.

Summary

Asks her to observe seedlings of Neottia breaking the surface to see whether the flower stems grow straight up or form arches, and whether they secrete water that softens the surrounding ground.

Summary

CD and Frank think they have proved that function of plant sleep is to protect leaves from injury by chilling radiation. Requests plants for experiment to determine whether underside of leaf is hardier than upper.