Summary

Forwards letter from George Callwell reporting what a large and disease-free potato crop JT’s seed yields.

Summary

Congratulates JT on success in breeding potato varieties.

Summary

Has examined this year’s crop, which looks good; will prepare a report.

Summary

Has found no [potato] variety whose foliage can resist the parasite, except when grown under glass.

Summary

Has had an account of his experiments published. Sends CD some specimens of seedlings and tubers.

Summary

Would like to see JT’s published report on potato experiments.

Summary

Describes one of his varieties of potato in its third and fourth years. [CD notes his observations on this variety grown at Down, July 1879.]

Summary

Encourages JT’s experiments. His case of flowering of black potatoes is curious. CD surprised that they are odoriferous and visited by bees. This letter was thought to be to David Moore, because it was in the private collection of a descendant, but is extremely close to a draft to JT on the letter from JT, 30 April 1879 (DCP-LETT-12020). It is not known how it passed from JT to David Moore.

Summary

Illness of his wife.

Potato crossing experiments; believes he has increased yield considerably.

Summary

Has seen newspaper accounts of JT’s potato experiments. T. H. Farrer wants to know whether JT has published any account of them, and how much assistance he needs.

Summary

Success of his experiments; report on recent work.

Summary

Wrote to T. H. Farrer about JT’s potato experiments. Would be calamity if JT were prevented from trying successful fungus-proof variety for a few more years.

Summary

Encloses latest report on his new potatoes. Believes the plants should be grown from seed every fourth year to preserve yield and disease-resistance.

Summary

Describes problems of raising money [for potato experiments]. "A Government official in another office remarked to me that it was very difficult for Ministers to decide what to do in such cases as they must be prepared for mere cavillers in the H[ouse] of Commons."

Summary

Intends to get his ideas on the "wearing out" of varieties printed.

This year’s crosses were failures.

Summary

Encloses a report on JT’s potato varieties by William Meredith, one of the many individuals in the country who are growing them.

Summary

Reports that Phylloxera-resistant vines have been found in an infected region of Portugal.

Summary

Glad to hear about vines.

Hopes JT will be able to continue work without Government aid. "It is enough to sicken one to see how politicians waste their time squabbling and neglect doing any good."

Summary

On the disease-resisting qualities and yield of certain potatoes.

Summary

It might be possible to borrow £500 [for potato experiments]. Variety of "The Champion" spreading over the Kingdom. Champion lately less able to produce.