In sending specimens of plants for investigation, it is
desirable to have the leaves, flowers, and fruit; and in the
case of bulbous plants, the bulbs also. When they are sent
from a distance it is best to prepare the specimens by drying
them under pressure between folds of [?] paper, otherwise
the parts shrink and break so as to be hardly recognizable.
When the dried plants are sent they should be
protected from breakage in the mail by being [inclosed?]
between pieces of stiff [posterboard?]. Packages weighing less
than four pounds can be sent by mail at the rate of one cent
per usage. Write the name of the sender on the [?].
In the letter accompanying the specimens state where collected,
the date, and any other particulars of the plant,
whether reputed poisonous, [pestiforous?], medicinal, or useful.
Department of Agriculture,
Division of Botany,
Washington, D. C., Nov. 4th, 1881.
Prof. C. E. Bessey
My dear Sir
I neglected to mention some things
in my last letter, for instance; the Arizona & N. Mex.
Collection of my son as far as sent to you is not classified.
I could not make a full classification until I [receive?]
the balance of the plants, so I thought I might as well
send them miscellaneously, and at last I will furnish
you a regular systematic Catalogue, and also a full set
of printed blank labels. I ought perhaps to have apologized
for sending the other (Southern) plants without writing out the
names on the tickets. Pressure of work and want of time
is my excuse.
You wished for some general notes [respecting?] my son's
Collection, which I will gladly make as soon as I receive
the balance, which I expect will be in a few weeks.
I hope you received the box, and found things in good
order, and satisfactory. You need not [?] make payment
until all are delivered.
Truly Yours
Geo. Vasey
