
          West Butler Feb. the 12th 1852
Mr. John Torrey M.D.
New York

Dear Sir
Yours of Jan. 12th was duly recd. I am
highly gratified with the opportunity of contributing, (though a mere trifle in
comparison) something to the "Flora" of the "Empire State." It is an established
fact, too often deplored by all botanists with whom I am acquainted, that our
best Botanical Books fall far short of imparting all the information so eagerly
sought by the practical botanist or the more zealous student, and more
especially has this charge been prefered against the Flora of our State. So far
as Western New York, and I might add the northern portion of the state are concerned,
I must assent to the imputation, and I think our State should take measures 
to effect a more thorough knowledge of the botanical productions of these portions
of the state, than ever can be effected by private individual research, or accidental
discovery, if not , it will be many years before anything like a thorough knowledge 
of American Botany can be attained, and here let me respectfully suggest,
and earnestly request, that your supplement to the Flora should comprise at least one
large Volume of Plates of the most rare plants, and those that [added: are] sectional, or confined
to limited localities, the advantages derived from pictorial illustrations are without
a parallel.

Sice my first communication, I have sold my form and do not
expect to reside in this state more than a year or so, during which time it
will be my purpose to impart such information as I now have or may
hereafter acquire, and shall doubtless ask some, on some points. In regard to furnishing
specimens of living plants, or even dried ones I willa ttend to it to any
amount you may desire for which I ask no silver or gold, but something
of greater value, if you could send me orders for specimens for the use
        