682
Section of Vegetable Pathology.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Botany, Washington, D. C., March 8th 1887
My dear Prof. Bessey.
Thanks for your favor of the 7th ult. and also for the Chancellors report of your University. You certainly have been most industrious during the past two years and accomplished much.
I know you will be glad to learn that here, some progress has been made. Congress appropriated for the Botanical Division
for 1885-6, $3000—Salaries of Botanist and assistant botanist,
for 1886-7 {$3200— " " " " " " {$5000—for investigations &c. of which $4166.66 for Mycology.
for 1887-8 {$8440.—for salaries. Sect. Veg. Pathol. $4400. {$7000—for investigations &c Sect. Veg. Pathol. $5000 } total $9400.
Total for the Division for the fiscal year ending June 30 1888, $15440. – or $12440. over that for 1885-6.
One credit of all this belongs to the Present Commissioner. – The Bill of appropriations for this Department, just passed, recognizes a "Section of Vegetable Pathology," and a "Chief" for said section, and
683
the moneys appropriated for the investigation of the fungus diseases of plants, is distinct from that appropriated for the use of the "botanist."
Less than two years ago I came here at a salary of $1200, and had a desk in the room with the botanist. I now have two commodious rooms at my command, one for office and one that I am fitting up for a laboratory, and have four clerks working under my direction. The Botanist voluntarily asked to be relieved of all responsibility of the "Mycological Section", and when the Commissioner asked for the estimates for the Division for 1887-8, the Botanist inserted nothing for the mycological work. The Commissioner called on me, then, to put in an estimate of what I [sic.] needed for carrying on my work, with the result that COngress granted my $9400. This was just $4000 less than the sum asked. All this is "sub [?]", for your private ear. I feel that some progress has been made, and shall push the work forward to the best of my ability.
Yours very truly, F. Lawson Scribner.
[sideways note:] Is F[?] d[?] a common fungus with you?
684
Section of Vegetable Pathology.
For the investigaiton of the diseases of fruits and fruit trees, grains and other useful plants, due to parasiti fungi, (familiarly termed "rust," "smut," "mildew," blight," "rot," etc.), with the view of discovering remedies for the same.
Samples of the affected or diseased plants, or parts of plants, are desired and addressed [?] will be furnished for their transmittal by mail to the Department.
Personal
United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Botany, Washington, D. C., May 8 1887.
Dear Prof. Bessey,
I have received Mr. Smith's letter, accompanied by your recommendation of Mr. J. G. Smith. I can only say at this time that the moneys appropriated for the Section of Vegetable Pathology by the last Congress, will not become available until July 1st, the beginning of the new fiscal year. At that time there will be appointed an assistant in this Section at a salary of $1400. No plans have yet been perfected for the employment of outside assistance or "field agents." No appointments can be made until after July 1st. It is my intention to put one man at work investigating peach yellows. What are J. G. S's qualifications? What can he do in his present location? Shall be glad to hear from you.
Respectfully, F. L. Scribner.
685
To the Section of Vegetable Pathology are referred all questions relative to the diseases of fruits and fruit trees, grains and other useful palnts, due to parasitic fungi, familiarly termed "rust," "smut," "mildew," "blight," "rot," etc.
Samples of the affected or diseased plants, or parts of plants should accompany all queries relative thereto.
United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Botany, Section of Vegetable Pathology. Washington, D. C., July 13th 1887
Dr. Chas E. Bessey – My Dear Sir:–
I desire to thank you for your very excellent report on the "grasses and forage plants of Nebraska.
Very truly Yours – F. L. Scribner