UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
m BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY 
WASHINGTON 
SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION 
Dec. 12, 1921. 
Mr. J. F. Rock, 
ofo American Consul, 
Singapore, Straits Settlements 
Your last note from the Island of Sabang on 
the north coast of Sumatra has just arrived. It 
brings up memories of almost exactly twenty-five 
years ago when Mr. Lathroj) and I sailed up the west 
coast of Sumatra and landed at Atcheen, spending jmas 
there. I haven't looked up the island, but I know 
what f 
about its appearance would be. I can't imagine what 
one of the boats of the Dutch East Indian line is 
landing there for. But then, the Dutch East Indies 
is such'a gigantic collection of Islands that I am 
never surprised at my ignorance in regard to it. 
fe ^ ~ ■ *i- ’ ,v -J ■ • 
I had dinner night before last with Dr. Moresco, 
Tice Governor of the Dutch East Indies, and learned 
from him a great deal about what has been done recently 
among the 50,000,000 people who inhabit that gigantic 
archipelago. Before I die, I am going to see it 
again, if I possibly can. To me it has always had a 
tremendous fascination. 
