Description

Duthie notes that the date palm [Phoenix] 'fever' still rages. He has been asked to procure Thiselton-Dyer's assistance in securing seeds of a particular variety said to flourish in Murcia, Spain, which are thought likely to thrive well in India. It is called the 'Elche' date. They have started a plantation at Saharanpur and have already planted out several varieties and sown other kinds in pots. He thinks some of the hardy or inferior kinds may be useful for planting out on waste lands, such as in the Jumna ravines, and possibly on the saline usar plains. The best kinds of date palm would always require garden cultivation and even then would yield fruit only in favourable years. Duthie wonders if Hemsley has gone through the collection of the Himalayan and Punjab plants sent to RBG Kew last December. He would be glad of Hemsley's opinion on some of the doubtful specimens if possible. Duthie got a number of good things in Rajputana last January but owing to sickness was unable to make up sets before leaving. They must now go along with those he shall be getting very soon in Kumaon. Duthie intended starting next week but his wife is very ill with what looks like typhoid and he must wait until she is better. Page contains a note in another hand initialled 'D.M.' [Daniel Morris] noting that the 'F.O.' [Foreign Office] was written to. Page 1 of 3.

Description

Duthie notes that the date palm [Phoenix] 'fever' still rages. He has been asked to procure Thiselton-Dyer's assistance in securing seeds of a particular variety said to flourish in Murcia, Spain, which are thought likely to thrive well in India. It is called the 'Elche' date. They have started a plantation at Saharanpur and have already planted out several varieties and sown other kinds in pots. He thinks some of the hardy or inferior kinds may be useful for planting out on waste lands, such as in the Jumna ravines, and possibly on the saline usar plains. The best kinds of date palm would always require garden cultivation and even then would yield fruit only in favourable years. Duthie wonders if Hemsley has gone through the collection of the Himalayan and Punjab plants sent to RBG Kew last December. He would be glad of Hemsley's opinion on some of the doubtful specimens if possible. Duthie got a number of good things in Rajputana last January but owing to sickness was unable to make up sets before leaving. They must now go along with those he shall be getting very soon in Kumaon. Duthie intended starting next week but his wife is very ill with what looks like typhoid and he must wait until she is better. Page contains a note in another hand initialled 'D.M.' [Daniel Morris] noting that the 'F.O.' [Foreign Office] was written to. Page 1 of 3.

Description

Duthie notes that the date palm [Phoenix] 'fever' still rages. He has been asked to procure Thiselton-Dyer's assistance in securing seeds of a particular variety said to flourish in Murcia, Spain, which are thought likely to thrive well in India. It is called the 'Elche' date. They have started a plantation at Saharanpur and have already planted out several varieties and sown other kinds in pots. He thinks some of the hardy or inferior kinds may be useful for planting out on waste lands, such as in the Jumna ravines, and possibly on the saline usar plains. The best kinds of date palm would always require garden cultivation and even then would yield fruit only in favourable years. Duthie wonders if Hemsley has gone through the collection of the Himalayan and Punjab plants sent to RBG Kew last December. He would be glad of Hemsley's opinion on some of the doubtful specimens if possible. Duthie got a number of good things in Rajputana last January but owing to sickness was unable to make up sets before leaving. They must now go along with those he shall be getting very soon in Kumaon. Duthie intended starting next week but his wife is very ill with what looks like typhoid and he must wait until she is better. Page contains a note in another hand initialled 'D.M.' [Daniel Morris] noting that the 'F.O.' [Foreign Office] was written to. Page 1 of 3.