Franklin D. Roosevelt: Typed Letter Signed "F.D.R." as President....

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Letter signed April 10, 1940 on The White House Washington stationery to Professor Nelson C. Brown of the State Forestry College, Syracuse, New York, with original transmittal envelope and personal content, showing how interested and active FDR remained in his farming and landscaping duties at Springwood, his home in Hyde Park, New York. FDR writes: "Dear Nelson: –/ Thank you for your telegram. I spent two days at home and the frost will be out of the ground inside of a week. The fields to be planted have been cleared and are all ready. Let Linaka and Plog know when to expect the trees. I understand they are comint in two or three batches so as not to have to lie around too long before being put in the ground./ I hope to be home again the first Sunday in May and perhaps you will run down sometime this Spring./ As every yours,/ FDR." Professor Nelson C. Brown joined the faculty of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1912, only one year after the college was founded. Professor Brown had been a utilization forester with the United States Forest Service, and became the Chair of the Department of Forest Utilization. Brown retired in 1951. During his career at ESF, he wrote many books and was a great advocate for improved manufacturing and marketing of forest products. Professor Brown developed many strong friendships among his former students and professional colleagues. On several occasions, he helped students who had financial problems. In 1964 a group of his colleagues and former students had collected enough money to start the N.C. Brown Scholarship Fund. FDR makes reference to William A. Plog (Plow) who had been in charge of the grounds and gardens at Springwood since November 3, 1897. An interesting, personal letter, highlighting FDR's own agricultural interests and commitment to the continuing agricultural and landscaping development of his home in Hyde Park, New York.