Transcription:
ARNOLD ARBORETUM, HARVARD UNIVERSITY. Jamaica Plain, Mass., April, 20, 189 My dear Mr. Muir: I am safely at home again
after various experiences in Southern California, Arizona, etc. where most of our energies were devoted to learning distinguish
a Walnut from an Ash-tree. I do not feel at all sure that we shall be able, to do this successfully until we can have the
advantage of another lesson from you on the subject. Possibly when we make that trip to the Sierras together or to India you
will be able to set me straight in this matter Bad weather and an abnormarlly late season intefered which that we wanted
to do in Arizona, although I was able to make a few useful observations on the Oaks. Now I have got to buckle down to the
next volume of The Silva which is a pretty complicated one although fortunately, with the exception of the Walnut, it does
not contain much from California. We enjoyed our day with you immensely, indeed it was the best day we had on the whole journey,
I may go back to northern Arizona and southern California again this autumn Oak-hunting but next year we ought to try and
get into the Sierras together. Do you expect to make any mountain journey this year. and if so to what part of the country?
I should like to know for I am sure you could hunt up some trees for me. 01801