July 18, 1900.
I feel sure, wherever you are, that you are so much occupied that you have not a morsel of spare time, but if you could presently give me a little advice it would be of great value to me. I was urged to let my name be put on the Agricultural Education Committee, and agreed, and by way of something solid I suggested that I should form a set of papers on “Common Fly attacks to Farm Stock,” and I set to work. But as I go on I really think that they are more fitted for regular agricultural work, and I should value a few words of guidance from you very much. The subjects I am thinking of taking as what I know personally are: Sheep—Nostril fly, with note of “Gad” as different, and “Spider” fly; Horse—Bot fly, Forest fly; Cattle—Warbles, Gad fly, and anything else that might occur.
Nostril fly and Horse Bot fly shape (as I think you also would consider) nicely, brought up to date; and in G. equi (Horse Bot fly, fig. [10]) I have really handled the only bit of the subject that was not pleasant, so that I do not think anybody could object. The two above-mentioned papers are about ready for press. But what I wish very much is that you would kindly let me know your view of it. Would it be better to print the subjects in my usual way, as leaflets, or make them into a little pamphlet? G. equi would fit nicely into a four-page leaflet. œ. ovis, (Sheep Nostril fly), I think would be shorter; and the short papers which would go nicely along with their more important brethren in a pamphlet rather puzzle me how to deal with if in leaflets. I have excellent figures, and in an idea (possibly erroneous) of bringing the sequence out for the Agricultural Education Committee, I wrote a sort of little “fresh” preface on the creatures collectively. As I am sure you will allow me the pleasure of thinking myself in some degree a colleague of yours (and if I drive well at work I should hope to have it ready for your winter session), I should be exceedingly obliged if you would tell me whether you think pamphlet or leaflet would be best. [The pamphlet form was ultimately adopted, and it was published as “Flies Injurious to Stock,” &c., price sixpence.]
1, Fly, magnified, line showing natural length; 2, maggot; 3, mouth hooks of maggot; and 4, tail segment, showing spiracles, and lobes, acting as organs of progression—all magnified. (After Brauer.)
FIG. 76.—SHEEP’S NOSTRIL FLY, ŒSTRUS OVIS, LINN.
August 2, 1900.
I am very glad that Dr. Fream gave a good notice in the “Times,” of your intended series of lectures on Colonial and Indian Agriculture—it will be a noble work, and I am glad you are enjoying the preparation.
“Reminiscences” are lying in a drawer, for there is such a quantity of work there is no spare time. When I have got the first sheet of “Flies Injurious to Stock,” I should like to send one to you, please; not to trouble you, but just that you may see how it is getting on.
August 25, 1900.
Mr. Elliott tells me that “the oil painting” is to be quite ready on (or about) the fourteenth September, and I have ordered one of their best “rich” gilt frames in which it is to come down here. I hope much that I may somehow or other, be able either before completion or here, to secure the saving of anxiety to my mind by your seeing it. But I have not as yet written to submit my suggestion of acceptance to Dr. Taylor, for may be I had better see what I look like first.