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nothing. - The alfalfa now started splendidly and so did a [rank?] grass sample of which I enclose this twice about an even race alfalfa and grass. - grass led in height but alfalfa in thickness just as alfalfa was beginning to show signs of flower buds. - I cut and I believe the grass and alfalfa about evently divided made a total of 2 tons per acre at least it was raining when we cut it and continued to rain until I concluded all was spoilt but stacked it to get it off the land. - I now find that one ton in any opinion is worth two of the best upland prairie hay I have two [mangers?] in corral into one I throw a load of alfalfa into the other bright green early cut prairie hay, the cattle are most
eager for the alfalfa and only those that cannot get to the alfalfa will touch the prairie hay, the cattle appear to like the grass equally well with the alfalfa whether from the flavor being imported from the alfalfa or on its own merits I cannot say.
The second cutting was done about 10th of Aug. after that the alfalfa alone sprung up and looked as nice as any aftermath clover I ever saw and would have cut probably 3/4 ton per acre but I left this to be killed by frost as a winter protection.
But now comes the serious drawback - the gopher - they are simply fearful on it. I think all the gophers in the township must have come to
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this spot not alone do they damage by the heaps of dirt thrown up but they burrow so near the surface that their [origins?] can be followed by a line of dead alfalfa. I drew up lots of stems with the roots cut off about 2 inches below the surface and unless some remedy can be applied they will undoubtablly ruin the piece the land is flat about 8 ft above water in creek which surrounds same - can you suggest any way to kill these pests, any suggestion I should be very thankful for
Yours most Respt James W. Wood
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Original in Smithsonian Institution Archives; Records Unit 220; U.S. Nat'l Museum; Division of Plants, Records, 1870-1893
Answer to Bessey's letter of 24 April 1891 Letterpress books
May 9,
Prof.C.E.Bessey,
Lincoln Nebraska.
My dear Sir:
I have consulted with Prof. Willetts about giving some work-to your students Mr. Rydberg and we conclude that we can give him some employment if it can be done satisfacorily as between us and the University. I suppose that you are not especially desirous of duplicate specimens, whereas we have use for many in order to make distribution to Colleges, and we propose if it will be satisfactory to pay Mr Rydberg at the ratio of 900 dollars per year for three months and take a part of the plants proportionate to what we pay, with what you pay. We can issue his commission as soon as he wants to start.
Respectfully, Geo Vasey Botanist.
534
Original in Smithsonian Institution Archives; Records Unit 220; U. S. Nat'l Museum; Division of Plants, Records, 1870-1893
Answer to Bessey's letter of 14 May 1891 Letterpress books May 20,
Prof. C.E. Bessey,
Lincoln, Nebraska.
My dear Sir:
Your letter of the fourteenth inst. is at hand and is perfectly satiafactory. Prof. Willetts is absent for this week but will return early next week and then Mr.Rydberg's comission will be issued to begin the twelvth of June. We will send him some vouchers on which he will make out his charge (or he will perhaps prepare that) and he will send them in once a month, or in his case as only part of a month will occur in June, he can wait until the first of July and then send in the vouchers to cover both months. He can do as is most convenient to him. He must inform us where his check is to be sent. He will have to advance his own funds until he gets return for his vouchers. The route you indicate appears to be a good one and I hope will furnish many good things.
Respectfully, Geo. Vasey Botanist
