i86C] SCIENCE AND HORTICULTURE. 24 1 



every scrap which you have written in periodicals, and ab- 

 stracted in MS. your book on Roses, and several times I 

 thought I would write to you, but did not know whether you 

 would think me too intrusive. I shall, indeed, be truly 

 obliged for any information you can supply me on bud-varia- 

 tion or sports. When any extra difficult points occur to me 

 in my present subject (which is a mass of difficulties), I will 

 apply to you, but I will not be unreasonable. It is most true 

 what you say that any one to study well the physiology of the 

 life of plants, ought to have under his eye a multitude of 

 plants. I have endeavoured to do what I can by comparing 

 statements by many writers and observing what I could my- 

 self. Unfortunately few have observed like you have done. 

 As you are so kind, I will mention one other point on which 

 I am collecting facts ; namely, the effect produced on the 

 stock by the graft ; thus, it is said, that the purple-leaved fil- 

 bert affects the leaves of the common hazel on which it is 

 grafted (I have just procured a plant to try), so variegated 

 jessamine is said to affect its stock. I want these facts partly 

 to throw light on the marvellous laburnums, Adami-trifacial 

 oranges, &c. That laburnum case seems one of the strangest 

 in physiology. I have now growing splendid, fertile, yellow 

 laburnums (with a long raceme like the so-called Waterer's 

 laburnum) from seed of yellow flowers on the C. Adami. To 

 a man like myself, who is compelled to live a solitary life, 

 and sees few persons, it is no slight satisfaction to hear that I 

 have been able at all [to] interest by my books observers like 

 yourself. 



As I shall publish on my present subject, I presume, within 

 a year, it will be of no use your sending me the shoots of peaches 

 and nectarines which you so kindly offer ; I have recorded 

 your facts. 



Permit me again to thank you cordially ; I have not often 

 in my life received a kinder letter. 



My dear Sir, yours sincerely, 



Ch. Darwin. 



35 



