19 
there is anything in the Chinese yam, we ought to 
know it, particularly from the standpoint of its 
being turned into a flour or meal. 
There is a "big propaganda on nov/ for the man- 
ufacture of sweet potato flour as part of the 
dried vegetable program for v/hich an item of ^?50r 
000 has teen added to the agricultural till. This 
opening up of the dried vegetable program in an 
American v/ay ought to make some difference in our 
point of view in regard to vegetables. Those 
vegetables which are highly flavored and v;hen dried 
still retain all the flavor necessary should win 
out in this race which is coming. 
In regard toPopenoe's coming out to south 
China, this v;ill not be possible at the present 
time, I am sorry to say. 
I am very sorry to have you talk as you do 
about the "evening of life descending upon you". 
1 realize the lonesomeness and induced intro- 
spectiveness of your life, ray dear Mr. Meyer, 
and my fondness for you and the great respon- 
sibilities which become heavier each day make 
me wish at times that you could be here with us, 
although I know that your stays in Washington 
have not always been the most agreeable. How- 
ever, if you should come back, we could arrange 
for a place v/here you ?;ould be within the call, 
BO to speak, and yet could carry on your v/ork 
in the hybridizing of plants in a way that would 
make your knowledge available to the country and 
prevent what I am always afraid might happen, 
the loss. of your great store of sifted observa- 
tions and reflections which you have gained by 
these years of travel. Please do not look upon 
this lightly. You really owe it to your adopted 
country to make this information available, put- 
ting in on paper so that it would be a source of 
inspiration to the next generation. 
Please ?/rite me freely and frequently and do 
not become despondent in any case, for, regard- 
less of the fearful sorrows and the horrible 
features of the life which is around us, we must 
push on to bigger and grander things before life 
really closes in on us. 
On the same day, March 6, I9IB, while still at Ichang, 
Kupeg, Mr. Meyer transmitted one parcel containing roots and 
cuttings of a rose and a bush-cherry. SPI No. 4-600? was 
September ?1, I9I8. 
