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August 26, 1948

Mr. William B. Hubbard
231 Winston Street
Los Angeles, California

Dear Bill:

Florence and I are off to South America, for the fifth time since
1935, on October 4. This journey to the South is unpremeditated
and follows an invitation to me to become President of one of
the Sections of the Second South American Botanical Congress which meets
in Tucuman, Argentina, October 10 to 17. Since the Congress offered
to pay Florence's and my round trip by air and maintenance during
its session the invitation was difficult to refuse. Actually, the
University has given me leave of absence until December so that after
the Congress I can take advantage of the opportunity to carry forward
for two months the work of the Fourth botanical expedition b the
Andes which I organized when we were in South America in the summer
of 1946.

These four expeditions represent one of the largest and most success-
ful areal reconnaissances of the past fifty years. I take most per-
sonal satisfaction, however, in the contributions made to the South
Americans themselves through the increased knowledge we have provided
of their floras and particularly of new or previously little known
plants of potential economic importance. The enclosed reprints will
give some further idea of what we have accomplished down there.

In the past I have had a part in plant exploration at high altitudes
and under other unfavorable conditions in South America. I am told
that from now on I should not attempt much of this sort of work and
therefore hope to be able to hire local assistance to do some of the
collecting I need to do. Because this is a rather personal problem
I cannot present it to scientific foundations and institutions which
have contributed to the University a considerable proportion of the
$70,000 which past expeditions have cost. I am, therefore, approach-
ing a few of my friends in the hope that I may be able to secure all
or a part of the $1500 which I estimate I will need to make my pro-
ject a success. Contributions are to be made, through me, to the
Regents of the University and are therefore deductible from income tax.

You know me well enough, Bill, to say no without hesitation or ex-
planation. I am also writing to Olin who helped me a little a number
of years ago. I have lost track of others of the old group now in
Southern California and who might be interested. Have you any sug-
gestions?

Here we go on about as usual except that our daughter Ellen it at
home again. The war wrecked her marriage but at present she seems
happy and successful in a business career. Steve is an Instructor in
Political Science at Santa Barbara College so that there are now two