ACCLIMATISATION OF PLANTS. 419 



have just written to Kabrega for coffee to try at Agarii (4000 

 feet). 



In my own interest, I shall use every endeavour to cultivate 

 the various species of bamboo sent me, and I will let you know 

 which kind thrives best. I have just received a collection 

 of vegetables from M. Marquet and other friends in Khartum. 

 We grow all the vegetables which exist in the Sudan, as well 

 as Colocasias, sweet potatoes, Helmia hulbifera, two kinds of 

 Dioscorea, four kinds of Phaseolus, and sugar-cane. Melons 

 do not grow well ; water-melons, on the contrary, thrive 

 splendidly, especially a kind sent me from Darfur, which we 

 plant in the kharif, and which the rain does not harm. 



Although I am afraid of wearying you, I will once more 

 return to the two points I have already mentioned. In the 

 first place, send me somebody. I certainly do not advise you 

 to send a scientific expedition consisting of several members ; 

 I do not wish such an expedition, for reasons not far to seek. 

 What I do want is an explorer well up to his work, and not 

 too proud to take a practical hint now and then. Good intro- 

 ductions from the Egyptian Government are necessary for 

 Khartum. I will defray the cost up here. 



Secondly, would not the introduction of Chinese settle the 

 slave-trade once and for all ? Think over this matter care- 

 fully, and write me about it ; I do not think that the proper 

 methods have been yet followed or the proper measures taken. 

 I should be sorry to pose as a critic, but I have had the oppor- 

 tunity of thoroughly learning the needs of this country. 



And now my hearty greeting, and again a thousand thanks 

 for all your interest and courtesy. Your sympathy is a great 

 help to me in my difficult task. 



