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Dakota Agricultural College.

Brookings, Dakota Oct 4th 1887

Prof C. E. Bessey
Lincoln Neb.
My Dear Friend

Today I began my labors in
the botanical laboratory of the D. A. C. – and
right at the very ontset I am minded to
write to ask, in case I shall have difficulty
in securing materials for the work
laid down in the first part of your
textbook, if you can aid me in securing
what is not at Rand? May I also feel
at liberty to send you specimens of
the lower orders, particularly the parasites
of the grasses and autumn flowers, for
classification? I write because I fear
you may be too busy to assist me, and
I confess frankly the need of assistance.

The work started pleasantly enough.
I gave them hairs of petunia and of potato
stems that had grown in a dark cellar.
if you could suggest a list – short –
of the most valuable books for my