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The Geol & Nat Hist Survey has an [an?] appropriation of $2000. B[?] this upwards of 30000 acres of lands have been assigned to it worth $5.00 per acre & upwards & the State pays the printing bills in addition still.
One of the lines of work provided for is a comprehensive botanical survey of the State (see 1st vol [print?/First?] Report Gel & Nat Hist Sur M[?] p. 106 esp[?] sec. 4)
I want to see such a Survey as will excel any other yet made in the country & include every plant from the Myxomycetes to the R[anules?], and more than that I want to see you at the head of the work. ––––
Best how to get your there[,?]
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5
Those of us interested in the Scientific work have been invited to prepare plans & present them for the new Science Hall. Now will you please make out [us?] some detail and send to me your ideas of the space & arrangement of the [?] necessary for a first class department of Botany. As I represent for this building the Geol. (2) Zool. (3) & Bot. (4) of p. 3 such ideas can be incorporated with but little changes, I think. And I want it to be done with this understanding: that I shall urge your election to the Professorship of Botany & position of State Botanist expert in rank to the State Geologist, to
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enter upon your duties Sept. 1886, or before then if you should desire [to?] have now 2 terms in botany in the Scientific Course & 1 term in the other courses: as soon as a botanist comes elective courses will be provided according to [their?] demands. The botanical survey of the state will take years for its completion (the Geol Survey is now on its 13th year) and every provision for appratus aid & books will be furnished as asked for & a salary of $2500 with all field expenses &c is now paid the State Geologist & you may have no reason to expect less.
Now my dear Professor I have, so far as I can, answered your fist [7?] questions.
To be sure (for I anticipate your query) I have no authority to make a proposition: but I have such an understanding of the situtation & the feelings of those in authority that I have written with great assurance.
I remarked to Prest Northrop a day or two ago that I could assure you of nothing: said he "Tell him to send on the plans for a botanical laboratory and wait & see what we will do when the time comes to act; you can do no more just now."
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I can add that I should not have followed you up since I heard you were departing from Ames had I not known so far as one can know witout [?] that you would be elected to a active professorship here if you would give the chance & we have no botanist yet.
But I must say no more now. Ask me any question occurring to you; I shall be pleased to answer all I know.
Sincerely Yours C. W. Hall
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Hall, C. W.
The University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Department of Botany.
May 18th 1885.
My dear Professor Hall.
I have been turning over the matter contained in your letter of the 23d ult. and will say judging from what you write The position will be one which I should feel like accepting.
While I can not be a candidate in the usual sense (for I am well situated here) Yet I can say this much that I am willing that my name