Darwin, C. R. to Balfour, J. H.
- +
Inquires which nurserymen near Edinburgh cultivate coloured primroses and cowslips. Wants to repeat John Scott's remarkable experiments.
Summary Add
Transcription
Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.
Sept 15
My dear Sir
Will you have the kindness to grant me a little favour, namely to tell me what nurseryman near Edinburgh, I had better apply to for coloured Primroses & Cowslips. I have heard that they are a good deal cultivated there & I cannot hear of them near London.— I wish to try again some of John Scotts remarkable experiments, which he tried on the coloured Primroses in your Bot. Garden.—
John Scott has sailed for India; he came here to see me, & expressed himself warmly on your kindness to him.—
My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin
- +
- f1 4613.f1
The year is established by the reference to John Scott's sailing for India and his visit to Down (see n. 3, below). - +
- f2 4613.f2
CD refers to Scott's experiments on the Primulaceae at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, where he worked as foreman of the propagating department; Scott published the results of these experiments in Scott 1864a. On CD's interest in the experiments on coloured primroses and cowslips, see the letter to Asa Gray, 13 September [1864] and nn. 11, 13, and 14, and letter to J. D. Hooker, 13 September [1864]. - +
- f3 4613.f3
Scott probably visited CD at Down on 18 August before sailing for India on 26 August 1864 (see letter from J. D. Hooker, [15 August 1864], and letters to J. D. Hooker, [16 August 1864] and n. 2, and [23 August 1864]).