Focke, W. 0. 

 1879, May 2, 

 Bremen, Germany 



TRANSLATION 



Bremen, 2 May 1879 



Dear Colleague, 



My sincere thanks for your kindness in remembering me, whick as you wrote, is kept 

 alive by looking at the Rubus. The seeds you sent I put into the ground immediately. 



nutkanus is largely cultivated here, but only in the typical Californian form; 

 recently, also a second rarity was introduced here as R. Roezli. I am inclined to believe 

 that the common Ruca (?) which you sent me seeds of, is a remarkable vgrigty. Also, of 

 R. villosus we only know the species in the commercial nurseries which/the large fruits, 

 while I assume that the wild forms of this polymorphous species also comprise some which 

 are a transition to our European forms in the group of R. plicatus . I hope the seeds will 

 produce plants, which does not always happen with the long-kept and shipped blackberry 

 fruits. Some time ago, you were so kind to send to Prof. Buchenau seeds of R. strigosus 

 and R. deliciosus for me. The seeds of strigosus did not germinate, probably because 

 they were dried out; of R. deliciosus I got seedlings; however, I was unable to make 

 them grow. A later trial with seeds which I obtained in Europe also failed in the same 

 manner and also a very young plant which I have in my garden for some time will not grow 

 well. It seems that these species find soraething here to deter them from growing. Since 



nutkanus and R. villosus are doing very well here, I hope that your recent shipment 

 might have the best success. 



I have received some dried Rubi from the vicinity of St. Louis from Mr. Eggert. 

 Especially remarkable is R. Canadensis , which seems to be entirely different from R. Cana - 

 densis of the eastern states. I am more inclined to believe it is a leaf changing northern 

 form of R. trivialis M chx., but don't know the latter species very well. 



I shall always be grateful for dried specimens of American Rubi in case you have 

 some to send. I should be glad to do anything which might be of Service to you. 



For some time I am busy with the compilation and preparation of collection of bastard 

 plants for publication. The material is so abundant that I have to limit myself to short 

 notes so that the book won't be too thick. About wild growing American hybrids I only 

 know very little more than what you told me about Quercus, Verbena and NastufCLum. 



Prof. Buchenau asked me to send you his greetings; he is now busy with finishing 

 his studies of South American Juncaceae. 



With many thanks and greetings, 



Yours respectfully, 



Dr. W. 0. Focke 



Stein Kreuz 2 A., Bremen 



