48 
around in the Hupeh Province and locate plants of 
which I later will collect seeds. 
I suppose you will agree with me in these 
matters; "it is "better to get half an egg than an 
empty shell" as the saying is and should I "become 
seriously ill "by overwork, people would only say: 
how foolish.' I have spofeen with many doctors and 
other residents here in Hankow, Y/uchang, Shasi , 
Changsha and Ichang and all say that the Yang tze 
River climate is mentally depressing and often 
people have to move away to more "bracing localities. 
Climate influences one more d; times than one thinks.' 
Yes, we'll try to keep cool and with the aid 
of much exercise, cold "baths, sedative medicines, 
and a decent proportion of constructive w^ork we 
hope to "be a'ble to do so. 
I am terri"bly sorry that so many of the things 
I shipped this fall and winter arrived in such "bad 
condition in Washington, I). C, and even in Chico. 
Delays and uncongenial places, where mail pouches 
and freight have "been kept, surely are at the "base 
of it. With the immense reduction in sea-going 
vessels thru' su"bmarlne activity, any freight "boat 
is put into commission and any empty space on such 
steamers is filled up; whether near engine-rooms 
or alongside steam-pipes, kitchens and v/hat not. 
On river steamers here on the Yang tze I recently 
saw even the W. C.'s packed full with "bags of sugar 
and charcoal. Prosit] 
Heavens knows where these "boxes with chestnuts 
were stored; for seeds have never been received 
steaming hot "before, as Mr. Beagles wrote me. 
The rate of silver stands still remarka"bly 
high and to some of us, who are paid in gold, this 
means no small official as well as personal dif- 
ference. The State Department has taken this in 
consideration and has raised allowances to Its 
people here in China con3idera"bly. 
Well, later on I'll v/rite a"bout many. things 
more in detail. 
A copy of parts of this letter was sent to Prof. Reimer on 
June 27, 1917, who replied on -July 1?, 1917: 
I am very sorry to learn of Mr. Meyer's 
nervous "breakdown. I really "believe that it 
will do him much good to have a white man vrith 
him for a few days, and I will do everything 
December 31, I917. 
