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course in Fungi well enough but have no time left in which to specialize upon dry rot [wet?] [?] etc.
We have had a great time here; but the students are all returned with one or two exceptions. They [even may?] [?] Mr Cook for quiet time now and earnest work.
Mrs Halsted and I were very glad to see Miss [Athens?] agaun after the vacation and also to meet her mother. We hope she will have a very pleasant time here and visit us in your old(?) house frequently.
I trust you will keep to your expectations and visit us this month. I intend to get to Ann Arbor but it may be impossible.
Mr Burgess the field botanist took dinner with me and [?] the room full of freshness for an hour today.
You may wonder when I will get through with questions – Perhaps never.
Yrs sincerely Byron D. Halsted
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Iowa Agricultural College, Ames.
Department of Boany. Aug 12th 1885.
Dear Professor Bessey:
Please accept my many thanks for the suggestions in your last favor.
Gen'l Tedder desired that in my next letter to you I should ask you to indicate the price and place for the P. A. Saccardo vol 3 you forwarded me and also for the 4th Century of FUngi that came this year. No bills have come for either. The Genr'l does not find any thing in last years bills to guid him. Saccardo is at Para[?] Italy is he not? and the 5[?] [Frances?] are sent to him direct as I understood your letter on this point. The Fungi ([bother the?] name I am not asking of the herbarium) I am at a loss about If you told me when the pay has to go I have forgotten
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it but it seems to me you said so some one in Boston. Curtis has sent me plants this year.
I think of buying a [?] collection of plants of "[feather?]" B[?] and working them with the herbarium [?] exclusive 189 species.
Your note stating that I must not be afraid to ask questions has made me bold again. I feel a little stupid on the Sacca[r]do & the Fungi. I [??] your letter and [kept?] a [posting?] [as?] bill for each [night?] [??] along.
Everything is all quiet here now. The students are returned on the Presidents terms.
[Mrs. Athens?] and [Miss Athens?] called a few minutes ago. Mrs A. was down by request this morning to see our sick child. The little one is improving under her ([Mrs Athens?]) kind care.
I did not feel up to the task of following your plan of lecturing to the [Freshmen?] and have given them Grays Lessons for a guide. Dont like such crowd. Botany needs [continues on side:] to go up higher!?
Yours sincerely B D Halsted
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Iowa Agricultural College, Ames.
Department of Botany. Aug 14th 1885.
My dear Bessey.
Your kind favor is at hand. I will send the postal note to Saccardo and write to C. [?] 144 Fremont St. Boston. I am much pleased to know that you think botany should begin with the [Spring?] of the [Dept.?]. [?] I shall try to change the plan.
I have looked over your [catalogue?] (many thanks for the copy) and am much interested in your plants. You have very recently bought some or several microscopes. I shall need to buy some to replace those (4) taken away by the Histology dept. I know of no one as well able to advise me in purchasing instruments as you. I wish to fill the four facant spaces in the case with good working microscopes. Would I need to
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ask for about $150? or would $125 do? I am [?] obliged to borrow of the Zological Dept. and I find the "Dissecting microscope" answers very well to start out with for the [?]. Three cost $22 each I think Prof Osborne told me. — But you know what I want and when it is best to buy.
You may believe that as long as I write you letters I shall ask you questions. When I come to look over my collections this fall it may be that I will find something that may [?] interest you I will send it (or them) on a venture. What a fair lot of Fungi you must have!
I think of going to Ann Arbor and expect to see and hear you.
Yours sincerely Byron D. Halsted