Autograph Letter Signed ('W W Mather') from the geologist William Williams Mather to Luther Tucker, defending the Western Agriculturalist, which he edits, and attacking the editor of the rival Ohio Cultivator, Michael B. Bateham.

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He writes that he has 'received the package containing the Cultivator up to the end of 1850', and that he will pay him after the Ohio State Board of Agriculture meeting on 13 February. He suggests exchanging 'he Western Agriculturalist with the Cultivator that year. 'It has, I presume, been sent to you by the publisher. The first number is not a fair specimen of what the work is intended to be, either in variety of matter, or in the style of mechanical execution; but hope the work will improve on acquaintance'. In a postscript Mather explains that 'The design of this paper is not to break down the Ohio Cultivator but to supply wants that that paper failed to supply. Mr Bateham, by abuse of the Board & the paper unprovoked, is trying to get up an excitement in favor of his paper to benefit his pocket. It may answer his purpose for a time, but not long.'