Description

Nash has returned to New York after a good crossing of the Atlantic on [RMS] 'Campania', which docked at about 10am on 14 June. The two shipments of plants from RBG Kew have arrived safely and Nash has also received things from Edinburgh, Cambridge and Paris. Nash forgot to leave a list of bulbous plants desired which Watson offered to send, with Irving. Nash encloses the list and is grateful for any Kew can spare. The Dischidia rafflesiana arrived in good condition and the box of cuttings, which Nash took with him, are rooting nicely. Only a few of the begonias were spoilt during the voyage. Nash is delighted to hear that King Edward's condition is improving. His progress has created as much feeling as the illness of President McKinley and they hope his recovery is speedy. Nash's Phoenicophorium sechellarum is preparing to flower and so are some of the orchids he got in Florida last autumn. The first to flower is the Epidendron tampense [Epidendrum tampense], of which they have duplicates if Watson would like. He remarks that it is related to E. venosum, but is not very showy. He has also found that lots of seeds of Sabal megacarpa have germinated and there is promise of many seedlings. He doubts that Kew has this species and will send it later if desired. It is related to Sabal palmetto, but forces its way below the surface and does not have a trunk. He sends regards to Sir William [Thiselton-Dyer] and Watson's wife and children who were very hospitable towards him. Annotation states that [Kew] will be glad to have plants of Epidendron tampense and Sabal megacarpa. Page 1 of 2.