Summary

Concerns [James] Torbitt’s potato plants and the question of their trial by the Experimental Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society and a request to the Government for the needed expense. THF and CD to set a date for consultation with the botanist [William] Carruthers.

Summary

Explains why he does not approve of an engagement between his daughter, Emma Cecilia (Ida) Farrer and Horace Darwin.

Summary

Encloses £60 collected to assist Torbitt’s experiments.

Summary

JC agrees with THF that CD should keep the money to disburse when proper for [James] Torbitt’s cause.

Summary

Asks CD’s opinion of an experiment on Drosera.

Summary

Describes difficulty of conditions for the experiment with Drosera suggested by THF.

Summary

Thanks THF for information from Colonial Office on population statistics showing the inhabitants of some areas are far from becoming sterile.

Summary

Questions CD on sale of his books in America by Appleton and other publishers; copyright and translation rights.

Summary

Much pleased with CD’s book [Cross and self-fertilisation]. Is struck by width and caution of his generalisations and by the application of experiment to processes of life hitherto merely observed.

Summary

THF is seeking advice regarding the selection of an entomologist to carry out some duties [apparently pest destruction].

Summary

Counted 40 worm-holes after rain; four or five in the wall.

Summary

CD is delighted with report from THF about activity of worms in Roman-British ruins at Abinger.

Summary

Sends two papers on Roman ruins at Cirencester, which he asks CD to return.

Worm observations.

Summary

Sends "worm journal" – observations of earthworm activity at Abinger.

Summary

Thanks THF for the diary of worm activity at Abinger site.

Summary

Hive-bees captured in tubes of nectary of Tritoma. Seems a maladaptation of the bees.

Summary

CD desires her to say that the cream of THF’s letter of congratulations about William [Darwin]’s marriage [to Sara Sedgwick] lay in the P.S. about "the beloved worms, and not in any such trifles as marrying, &c".

Summary

CD’s quest for Government support for potato experiments by James Torbitt.

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

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