Viewing page 10 of 82

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
CROPS RESEARCH DIVISION
BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND

June 12, 1961

Mrs. S. F. Blake
3416 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, Virginia

Dear Mrs. Blake: 

Mr. Stewart and I have received copies of "Floras of the World II", by Dr. Blake. We appreciate very much the inclusion of our names on the distribution list to receive this scholarly survey.

Perhaps you know that in the preparation of a monographic account of the wild species of Beta Mr. Stewart and I were definitely planning to do the spadework of assembling the references and data, and then when the material was in shape we were going to invite Dr. Blake to join us in the authorship and to make the decisions as to names, scope of species, etc. We had talked this over with him informally. Since my retirement, as I was doing the library work on the genus Beta I used to consult with your husband on the knotty botanical points that I encountered.

It came as a great shock to both of us to learn of his passing. Members of the Sugar Plants group had long depended on Dr. Blake for botanical advice--always available, always given in kindly spirit, and always given promptly.

During my governmental service I had frequent conferences by telephone and, later, frequent personal contacts. Dr. Blake was a talented botanist; I would say, a botanist's botanist! Mr. Stewart and I were gladdened by the richly deserved honor shown him by the Botanical Society of America.

The life story in Taxon that you prepared was very revealing of the man we had come to know professionally and to appreciate highly. I found it very touching. I had long planned to write you, and now the receipt of the Flora, which I like to think was prompted by Dr. Blake's thoughtfulness, leads me to write you in the name of both Mr. Stewart and myself to pay this respectful tribute to our friend.

Very sincerely,
G. H. Coons
G. H. Coons, Collaborator
Tobacco and Sugar Crops
Research Branch

Geo H.