At Home, April 29, 1886
Dear Prof Bessey:
I shall try & mail with this letter
specimens of [aerial?] roots, tendrils, [shoot spores?]. [sic.?]
[?] [?] [due?] my A[?]. It is not yet in
[leaf?] here; when it is, I will send them. I found 2 new
species of fishes in our little river, & one was named
"for" or "after" me. I want to find a tree or plant & then I
will quit. The habit of this climate seems almost
[identical?] in many reports with the "poison ivy," & get it
[has?] the 5 leaves. I hope it is distinct enough to
warrant you in setting it forth as a new species. But
we will want & sell.
I have often the thought of the talk you gave me of Ag. Col.
matters the last time saw you, I think you "[?]"
of its [?] peculiarities were [?] correct. It seems
doomed to pe[r]petual [disease?/discord?]. The present [?] President went
up like a rocket, & according to all accounts he is comimg
down as rockets do after the "fizzing" has ceased. I met
[sic.] Prof W[?] bottoms up, & he was most vehement
in his [?]ation. "The worst pill we have can [?]"
– and much more of the same sort.
But it is said that the State University is really in
fully as had [?] way, though the trouble here [was?]
kept hidden from the public. Of course I am
not able to point out the [error?] of these things; but
that they exist in both institutions is too obvious to
all intelligen people. I regretted to you leave Iowa;
