Description

Harris has received Prain's letter of 17 June 1914 and was glad to hear that the filmy ferns arrived at RBG Kew in good condition. He was concerned as some Marattia alata sent to Sander & Sons of St Albans by the same steamer rotted en route. Harris discusses the matter of freight expenses. Harris proposes to send Prain a few small plants each of the four Jamaican species of Agave described by Trelease in THE MEMOIRS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 1913. He also says that he will send a piece of the true Cereus triangularis that is common in Jamaica but which Dr J.N. Rose informs him is not in RBG Kew's collection. He asks if Prain would like seeds of Rondeletia amplexicaulis, a very beautiful shrub growing by streams in the Cockpit country. Lobelia harrisii comes from the same region and both species are described in Urban's SYMBOLAE, volume V. Harris thinks both species ought to be introduced for cultivation. He also mentions the beautiful Blakea urbaniana with pure white flowers. [See also letter at folios 419 - 420.] Harris then discusses the Hedychiums [sent to RBG Kew for determination, see folios 412 - 414]. Harris explains that he is in no hurry for them as he has no herbarium assistant. His former assistant, Miss Wood now works at the museum in Kingston and although she still helps with mounting and recording plants she has no proper convenience for doing so and Harris tries to arrange that she not have too many at a time. Harris informs Prain that he is about to go and collect in the savannas of southern St Elizabeth. Finally he adds that he has had a letter from Professor Bower about Cinchona [Garden] and is gratified to hear that the 'Brit. Assn.' has decided to rent the place. Annotated. Page 1 of 4.

Description

Harris has received Prain's letter of 17 June 1914 and was glad to hear that the filmy ferns arrived at RBG Kew in good condition. He was concerned as some Marattia alata sent to Sander & Sons of St Albans by the same steamer rotted en route. Harris discusses the matter of freight expenses. Harris proposes to send Prain a few small plants each of the four Jamaican species of Agave described by Trelease in THE MEMOIRS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 1913. He also says that he will send a piece of the true Cereus triangularis that is common in Jamaica but which Dr J.N. Rose informs him is not in RBG Kew's collection. He asks if Prain would like seeds of Rondeletia amplexicaulis, a very beautiful shrub growing by streams in the Cockpit country. Lobelia harrisii comes from the same region and both species are described in Urban's SYMBOLAE, volume V. Harris thinks both species ought to be introduced for cultivation. He also mentions the beautiful Blakea urbaniana with pure white flowers. [See also letter at folios 419 - 420.] Harris then discusses the Hedychiums [sent to RBG Kew for determination, see folios 412 - 414]. Harris explains that he is in no hurry for them as he has no herbarium assistant. His former assistant, Miss Wood now works at the museum in Kingston and although she still helps with mounting and recording plants she has no proper convenience for doing so and Harris tries to arrange that she not have too many at a time. Harris informs Prain that he is about to go and collect in the savannas of southern St Elizabeth. Finally he adds that he has had a letter from Professor Bower about Cinchona [Garden] and is gratified to hear that the 'Brit. Assn.' has decided to rent the place. Annotated. Page 1 of 4.