622
Trees and Blizzards.
Larimore Pioneer: Prof. Charles E. Bessy, an eminent scientist of the university, of Nebraska, writes as follows to the American Agriculturist concerning the blizzard: "The tree planter has routed the blizzard wherever he has set his little army of trees. The blizzard tyrant no longer rules at will over all the Mississippi valley. Wherever a grove has come into existence there the blizzard's scepter has been broken. True, he rules as fiercely as ever outside of the groves, but as these enlarge his dominion contracts. When once the groves are approximately continuous, and when once they have grown to greater hights, the blizzard will be a thing of the past. The settler upon the plains need not fear the blizzard for more than a half dozen years, if he calls to his aid the friendly cottonwood, maple, ash and elm. They alone can vanquish this terror of the western winter. let every settler's motto be: 'Trees rather than blizzards.'"
623
R. N. Kratz, Mitchell, D. T., Land Office Business & Loans, Farm and City Property for sale.
[R. N. Kratz, Mi?]tchell D T Feby 25–87
Prof C E Bessey University Neb
My dear friend: I read the enclosed clipping in our daily and felt moved to write you a letter. We are glad to hear from you even though it be on as cold a subject as the one you have chosen.
You may think that I know something about blizzards from a personal experience but strange as it may seem I have spent five winters in Dakota and this winter saw my first blizzard. That was the storm of the 71 ins't.
But how does my experience agree with your theory. There is certainly more timber here at present than ah any other time in the past five years. Our last storm was a phenomenal one and not common to our section. Old settlers [sic.] tell me that this is the third of its kind in fifteen years.
But to take up a less scientific subject, how are you prospering. The Lord has been good to me and mine the past year. The Land Dep't reduced the force of our office and I chose to go out. In doing so the way was opened for me to establish an office of my own, and I have been prospered beyond my expectations. Business is good and improving all the time. Mrs K is at the old home in Ohio at present and has our Fred with her. let me hear from you once again. Why can we not exchange photo's. I would like to see your face again. You will pardon the familiar manner I assume --
[written sideways:] I feel as though I was talking to Charlie of old.
With recollections of the past I am still your friend of boyhood years. R. N. Kratz.
624
J. B. Lippincott Company. Publishers and Booksellers.
Philadelphia, Mch 30th 1887
Prof. Chas. E. Bessey, Dear Sir:
We are just in receipt of your very kind favor of the 26th inst, and highly appreciate both your complimentary remarks and your criticisms.
We shall hand the letter to the editor, Dr. Greene, for his consideration, and he will doubtless gladly avail himself of the [?] your kindly interest in the [?] has led you to give [?]
as to errors & defects in the Botanical part of the book and the best way to correct them.
Very truly yours J. B. Lippincott Co J. N. R.
625
Freehold N. J. April 22 '87.
Prof Chas. E. Bessey Ph. D. My dear Professor.
I send you herewith a copy of my paper on "Raising [?] with Laboratory," which I hope contains something new. Please note that [?] on [the face of the?] fig. 8 is an error, as it was not in the original drawing.
If you should really desire another copy, I might be able to spare it, if I knew your [?] soon.
Please let me ask you a question. Parties from the West tell me that in the winter the crows are common in the city of Omaha – on the other hand, I learn they are ravens. Could you tell me the exac species of the bird – and [?] much oblige.
Yours respectfully, [?] [?] [?]