162

Davenport Iowa July 16th 1880

Prof C. E. Bessey

My Dear Sir.

Circumstances
do not seem to favor our meeting. Though I have
long wished I make your personal [illegible]
I will not be practicable for me to attend the
new meeting of Iowa State Horticulture society [illegible]
Des Moines when I suppose you will be but
Mr J. B. Putnam goes out with his matter and life
to meet you there- Has any more even been made
to [illegible] the office of State [illegible]
State as in next of the adjourning states. Should
not something be done in this direction?

You may have some [illegible] views [illegible]
this matter. I will [illegible] state that many [illegible]
Think That The best man for such a [illegible] is
Mr Putnam himself he is going [illegible] and
has shown me little ability as an [illegible]
if placed in such a position he would [illegible] no
efforts to file [illegible] credibility to himself or for the
benefit of the State he has already an extension
correspondence in the country and Europe and
could [illegible] and any amount if testimonial
[illegible] to his qualification and should [illegible]
work. perhaps his greatest fault? would be so
much [illegible]. [illegible] would [illegible] be a
fault in [illegible] I beg to comment this

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