230

[1]

Herbarium of Harvard University,
Botanic Garden, Cambridge, Mass.
Dec. 25. 1881.

My dear Bessey

Thanks for yours of the 22d
to whi ch I reply promptly,
and open up my mind about the
matter. For what you
write comes [?] to ideas
which I had pondered & about
which I left a sketch in
Goodale's hands when I [sic.]
went abroad.

I was waiting for a chance
to get at – what is much [needed?] –
a new ed. of my Manual, or
a new book to take in part its
place, and I feel that it cannot
wait long. My idea
was, [sic.] if Chapman did
not get out a new ed. – or
even if he does, if I could do it
without being in his way – to
expand the area [nor?] the S.
Atlantic States & [nor?] the States

(HI – [Gen?] Autog. Collection)

[4]

"An [early?] [notice?] of your Manual is contemplated,
the Geographical range [?] England as to include
the country from the Atlantic to the Plains (thus including
the prairies proper), and a [compromise?] volume is
to be made to include the remainder of the country,"

The new edition in attempt will be made by
the [?] of thin paper, narrow margins etc. to supply the
[?] of a pocket manual, a part of the edition
to be so prepared,"