My dear Mr Darwin

I saw both Caird and Hooker yesterday—¹ Both think it useless to approach the Gov^t—especially as they are buying at great expense “Champion” potatoes to send as seed to Ireland, which Caird says—have proved good.²

Both too think that Mr Torbitt, should now make—or still better—get some one else to make some precise report on what he has done shewing what progress he has made— Further they think that £100 would be enough to give at present— This there would be no difficulty in procuring; for Caird says he will make himself responsible for £75 and I will gladly add £25. Will this enable you to say anything encouraging to Mr Torbitt.— Would not a careful report of what he has done and its success in the form of a letter to Nature or to one of the Agricultural papers be useful. If accompanied by a few lines from you it would be sure to attract attention: and if he has any good potatoes to sell as seed, it would bring them forward.

Ever yrs sincerely | T H Farrer