596
Agricultural College. Ames, Iowa.
Department of Botany. July 1st AM 1887
My dear Bessey:
I have been delaying my answer to you in order to hear from my brother in Chicago who is to make a visit here while we remain. We have just heard that he comes to-morrow but not a hint as to how long he will stay. He brings two girls who go home with us.
I want ever so much to go with you. It seems like an opportunity to see the Nebraska plains under the best of circumstances and dislike to feel that it is not best. It will be necessary for me to say no. I trust you will have a fine time in
597
move on for Manhattan about three P.M. next day.
Everything here is in a quiet state as far as I know. I pay little attention to the "winds" but should probably know if a cyclone were near.
It will be a source of much regret that Mrs [Athern?] will be away. We all like her so very much. It is hoped she can visit us in the new [?]. In fact this wish applies to you all. The boys would like to see the old place again and note the changes.
I hope you have had a most enjoyable and successful year. The dry weather here has made rather dry picking for the students with collections to prepare.
With kind regards to you all I am Yours very Truly Byron D Halsted
598
Agricultural College. Ames, Iowa.
Department of Botany. July 1st AM 1887
My dear Bessey:
I have been delaying my answer to you in order to hear from my brother in Chicago who is to make a visit here while we remain. We have just heard that he comes to-morrow but not a hint as to how long he will stay. He brings two girls who go home with us.
I want ever so much to go with you. It seems like an opportunity to see the Nebraska plains under the best of circumstances and dislike to feel that it is not best. It will be necessary for me to say no. I trust you will have a fine time in
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every way. Get lots of new things and above all [feel?] refreshed for your next year's work.
I [?] that I could not, come to a [full?] decision before [?]. I have been hoping that the way might seem clear to you.
Since coming here I have looked things over here very fully. Dr. [?]llerman [??] yesterday afternoon for a botanical excursion [?] [?] looked so much like rain that [?] [?] [?] [one dry body?] [?] [?] raining. However they [was?] rain here [snow?] have as [?] to [?] plants. Mr[s?]. Halsted joins me in kindest regards to Mr[s?] Bessey and the boys as also does Saint and you of course are included. We all had such a splendid visit with you all that it will be a very pleasant memory.
Sincerely Yours B. D. Halsted
600
Agricultural College. Ames, Iowa.
Department of Botany, Sept 5th 1887
My dear Dr. Bessey:
I have been intending to write you before begging a copy of your pamphlet on grasses which I see so favorably noted but thought you were away attending the Newport meeting. The Torrey Bulletin came last night and I have read your paper in it with much interest. I only wish I could have visited the same place with you. It must have been very interesting.
We have at last had our [?] brother, and by a four inch rain. We will begin to look green again!!
I hope you are all well. Claire had a bad cold for a while but is out again. We have