Charles Bessey, Letters, 1885-1887

Office of Virginia State Pomological Society, Charlottesville, Va., Aug 31st–1886 188

Charles E. Bessey, Ph. D. University of Nebrasa.

Dear Sir;

As Vice-President for Virginia of the American Pomological Society, I have been instrumental in calling a convention of the pomologists of the state, for the 8th & 9th Sept., prox., to meet at Charlottesville, which is the centre of our fruit belts. One of the subjects which we need the most light on, is that which you so ably presented in your popular lecture at Grand Rapids, Mich. about a year ago now, where I had the pleasure of being introduced to you.

And now I beg to ask [sic.] that you will offer to us of the old dominion such a portin of that lecture, or any other, or [sic.] such a paper on the subject of injurious fungi as will be convenient to you to give us. We are very much in need of any, [?] the least information, for we suffer greatly from the ravages of this enemy in all its departments. The grape rot being one from which we suffer great financial loss.

We have institutions of learning in the state which receive the patronage of its people through its treasury, and at this convention it is expected that we will succeed in establishing a nucleus to experiment departments in those institution.

Horace Greely said; "Young man, go west," but Virginia very clearly says to her sons; "Young man, draw upon the west, for inspiration,. [?] practical lessons in developed science in pomology, and apply them here at home, and you will make money."

If I see anything rightly, it is this, and I make free to confess it, and to ask your efforts in our behalf. It will be greatly acknowledge and carefully regarded.

Faithfully yours, Henry L. Lyman, Pres.

Dictated.

333 N. E[?] St. B[alts.?] M[?]. Oct 17th 1886.

Dear Professor Bessey:–

Now that I have had a good chance to look around and take observations of the famous Johns Hopkins University I must give you some of my impressions.

To some extent I am pleased, but in many things I am disappointed. The University is very large, very well manned, but there is no enthusiasm anywhere. Every one seems bored. The young men who believe in Physiology and [Biology?] are exceedingly [?] and keep themselves in [continuance?] by appearing exceedingly tired. Their remarks are largely encyclopedic and their bearing such that we immediately thinks of Henry James Jr. and his interesting creations.

Dr. Brooks is a [?] [?] man with a large double [?] [?] wears

a very drooping black moustache and his hair stands out in the back of his neck like a [fill?] of some [?]. His tongue seems to be too large for his mouth and gives this speech an odd [clucking?] quality that makes him hard to follow. He has a way of making dreary jokes with an almost [?] expression of [?].

This is what I am doing. I am taking lectures in Physiology, [?], Biology Mammalian Anatomy and Morphology [??] a week in all, of which six are in Morphology – with Dr. [Brooks?]. Every afternoon but Sat. and Sunday share [these?/three?] hours of laboratory work divided between PHysiology and Morphology.

Professor M[?] insists on calling the great-plant a "[?]" and tells his class that "P[?] m[?]" "breaks up into eight cells each of eight [?]". He does not [?] right. I am merely taking his [?] because he gives them – not because I am expecing to learn much. He welcomed me cordially – for him – when I

presented your kind letter.

No doubt I shall learn a great deal this year, but there is no [information?] either about the teachers or the surroundings. I do not think there are many scientists who have your knack of making me feel an immediate interest and enthusiasm. The men here certainly [?] it.

There is absolutely no Botanical library to speak of. They have about two-hundred volumes – Sachs, [?], Berkeley, Gray and many old D[?] who wrote voluminously about "nothing of which nothing was the whole result." There is only one special book among the nubmers & that is Grays Manual.

The [your?] work "Botany" of the "American Science Series, Henry Holt & Co." enjoys the distinction of being by far the most battered and dirty book in [?] alcove. It is evidently consulted more than any other three books put together.

Yesterday and Saturday before

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I went botanizing. Both time I brough ohome a wealth of fungi, lichens, diatoms the which I can not work over for lack of books.

There are no botanists here. "Dr." Howell, the bored young man who lectures on Physiology, told me that he was an enthusiastic botanist. My hopes rose, but fell when I found that his idea of botany was the pressing of a few flowering plants and committing to memory their long, tedious names — nothing more.

Dr. Brooks is interested in the [?] fertilization of orchids and has a [still?] [greenery?] of them which is turned unto me to manage.

I had expected to find a number of young [Agazzizs?], Darwins etc. among the students here, but on the whole they are no more able and earnest than one student at home.

Remember me to Mrs Bessey, and write me if you can find the time.

Very sincerely, Conway McMillan.