DeWitt Clinton, Utica, [New York], to [Sir James Edward Smith]

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Ref No GB-110/JES/COR/3/78
Title DeWitt Clinton, Utica, [New York], to [Sir James Edward Smith]
Letter date 18 Jul 1817/20 Jan 1818
Author(s) DeWitt Clinton 1769-1828
Number of Pages 4

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GB-110/JES/COR/3/78 from DeWitt Clinton, Utica, [New York], to [Sir James Edward Smith] (18 July 1817)

Metadata for GB-110/JES/COR/3/78 from DeWitt Clinton, Utica, [New York], to [Sir James Edward Smith] (18 July 1817) Close

Item data

Item Type: Document
From: Clinton, DeWitt
Sent from: Utica, New York
To: Smith, Sir James Edward
Summary:

Sends specimens and grain of a curious species of wild wheat found near Rome, Oneida County, New York, gives a brief description of it and relates how it resists the destructive effects of winter frosts that destroys common wheat, comparing it to rye. Questions whether it is indigenous or originally imported wheat accidently introduced, leans towards the former, with reservations, and gives his reasons, remarking on Linnaeus' six species of 'Triticum', Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, and 'Froment tremais'. Is of the opinion that many American native plants have been improperly considered naturalised, is confident in naming the Rome wheat 'Triticum americanum'. Also sends specimens of Wild Rye which grows in parts of the country bordering the upper parts of the Mohawk River, would like an opinion. Beneath Clinton's signature is written "David Hosack M.D." Smith has annotated on the first page "Mr Lambert is making observations on this subject".
["Copied" is marked in pencil on last page, and in a different hand "culmiferous"]

Letter date: 18 Jul 1817/20 Jan 1818
Languages: English
Prev Ref No: 3.141
Additional Information:
Note typeNote
Finding AidsDawson, W R, (1934). "Catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of The Linnean Society - Part I. The Smith papers: The correspondence and miscellaneous papers of Sir James Edward Smith", London: Linnean Society.
Related MaterialFor letter from Smith to Alexander Macleay of 2 January 1818 on Clinton's wild wheat, see JES/AM/135.
Publn NoteSmith, P (ed.), (1832). "Memoir and correspondence of... Sir James Edward Smith" London: Longman, vol 2, pp.240-243, [the postscript stating that the name of "the distinguished proprietor of Holkham [Thomas William Coke] as well as that of Sir J E Smith, is highly appreciated in this country" is from JES/COR/3/79].