
          Manchester, N.J. 18th Feb. 1865.


 My Dear Friend


 If practicable I will send tomorrow
 by Mrs. Torrey for your inspection a parcel
 containing 85 species & Varieties of the genus Carex.


 I have 24 more sets as good as the specimens in
 the forwarded parcel, beside many duplicates that
 would make us many ^ [inserted: more] sets of from 40-50 species.


 I wish you to examine theset as soon as practicible
 so that I may myself review and correct
 the remaining sets, and profit by any suggestions
 or remarks you may please to offer.


 Mr. Bush talks of giving instructions, to a young
 botanical class, at New Egypt and wished me to
 advise him what books to procure for beginners.
 I of course recommended Gray's text Book and informed
 him too that there was a new & improved
 edition forthcoming. - If Mr. Bush should succeed
 as well in teaching botany as he does in teaching Music
 he woil succeed to admiration, for in that science he
 has performed wonders, among us, in only three evening
 lectures. -


 Hastings is improving very much
 in health and vigour of body. - Mrs. J. D. Torrey
 has another son. Not quite a week old. -


 My school is tedious almost beyond endurance consisting
 of about 35 scholars of which number not more
 than 7 or 8 can read the bible and even those need looking after.

        