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normal can be obtained. I wish to hurry up the publication as to distribute extras as soon as possible.
The chair of Botany in the Univ. of Ohio has just been filled, and, although I thought I was as certain of the position as one is of living through the coming day, I have just heard of my defeat by a man of Dayton, Ohio, who was supported by the state Hort. Soc. and had various other backing. I go home next week to attend the wedding of my sister, shall probably soon after visit Minneapolis to see what can be done in that direction.
I have just had bound a complete set of the reports of C. H. [Peck?] to the N. Y. Nat. Hist. Mus. It makes a thick volume of which I am proud.
Yours [truly?] J. C. Arthur
547
University of Nebraska. Department of Natural Sciences. Lincoln, Neb., March 9 1881
Prof. C. E. Bessey, My Dear Sir,
I have [?] the address of the [?] of [Walt?] & Company — the [form?] that has published your [marker?] Botany. I wish to introduce that work as a text book, and wish to get into communication with the [agent?] in order to get if possible introduction rates, I would very much [?] if you can send me this name and address in the enclosed card.
I have carefully examined your work and find it better adapted as a guide to the study of botany for one of my advanced classes than any work before the public.
I congratulate you on the preparation of a Botany which you have made more interesting than a [novel?].
Fraternally Saint [?]
548
Brown University – Providence, Nov ' 13, 1881
My Dear Professor,
I ought long ago to have thanked you for the information you gave me about the microscopes. I have, of my own, a Chevalier and an Oberhauser inherited from my father (the late Prof. J. W. Bailey of Ward Print). Both are [very?] antiquated and much out of repair. I do not exactly see my way to a [new?] one at present but greatly need it. I doubt, too, if I could make the college see that [fire?] or [oil?] at least are [required?] up there. From two to three hours a week is rather limited time any way for investigations which need patient and repeated observation. I greatly desire, hence, to strengthen this side of my department.
It has always seemed to me that some thing like Huxley and Martin, giving Laboratory directions, would be very useful – some kind of schedule plan like we have in Morphology so that one print at a time is considered and buried out of the way.
Many thanks for your kind notice of my little book. I see that the Torrey Bulletin also speaks well of it. I was glad to see some suggestion about a [packet?] as usual.
Very truly yours W. Whitman Bailey
550
Original in Smithsonian Institution Archives; Record Unit 28 Office of Secretary (Spencer F. Baird), 1879-1882
A. S. Welch, President. C. E. Bessey, Professor of Botany.
Iowa Agricultural College. Ames, Jany 22 1881
Feb 7 1881
My dear Sir,
Find enclosed receipt for the copy of the most interesting and valuable Report of U.S. Fish Commission Vol VI.
I have a copy of Vol I. May I not beg