Letter from George Forrest, Tsekou [Cigu], S.E. Tibet, to Isaac Bayley Balfour M.D., 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, dated 03 July 1905.
Forrest writes to thank Balfour for the twenty volumes of the Linnaean Journal and for the seeds for the Consul General at Yunnanfu. Collecting has been hampered by trouble with the lamas and bad weather, but Forrest hopes to make up for lost time and secure twelve or fifteen hundred species. Forrest intends to leave for the U.K. around the end of December, subject to Mr Bulley’s approval: ‘I gather that he wishes me to remain out here for another year or so, but I do not think I shall consent, at least not at the present rate of payment.’ Although Forrest likes the work he would prefer collecting botanical specimens alone, rather than seeds.
The situation with the lamas remains dangerous: ‘Owing to the stupidity of the official who was sent north to Atuntze, the lamas of that place, and Yarragong in Yangtze valley have been allowed to escape and scatter in all directions. They have great influence over the people and as they are inciting them to rebellion we fear much trouble in the near future.’
Forrest describes an orchid growing on cliffs in the valley around Tsekou and two species of rubus, of which he encloses small scraps.
Forrest warns that Pere Monbeig is intending to write to Balfour to see if Balfour will buy specimens from him, reassuring Balfour that he has nothing to do with this.
Plants referenced: Gentian; Orchid; Rubus; Saxifrage
Letter has been scorched and there is slight damage, likely from a plant specimen inserted in the letter.
Letter from George Forrest, Tsekou, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, M.D., 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, dated 13 July 1905.
Forrest writes to say he is pleased to learn that he has discovered one or two new species. Forrest describes where he collected new species of parnassia. He has just returned from a week in the valleys of the Mekong-Salween divide, with favourable results, although the higher peaks and passes were inaccessible owing to heavy snow. There were a surprising number of species in flower, some forcing their way through the snow. Forrest describes plants and habitats of meconopsis integrifolia, corydalis, rhododendrons, primulas and lilium: ‘If I am not the first to send home seed of this species [meconopsis integrifolia], I hope to be the first to send home photos of it taken in situ…’
Regarding the trouble with the lamas, Forrest states: ‘… we have had bad news this week again. The report is that the Chinese have been defeated once more but I cannot vouch for the truth of this.’ ... ‘I am now well on in my sixth hundred of species over six hundred sheets. Got a big rise last week. Three more species of orchidaceae.’
Forrest describes and sketches a peculiar kind of fern [p.12] and sketches a new primula with pendulous flowers [p.8].
Plants referenced: Aspideum; Fern; Fritillaria; Corydalis; Lilium; Meconopsis; Nephrodium; Orchidaceae; Parnassia; Pine; Primula; Prunus; Rhododendron; Saxifrage
Letter has been fire damaged with some loss, including text. The letter has also been damaged, presumably by a plant specimen inserted in the envelope.
Letter from George Forrest, The Consulate General, Yunnan-fu [Kunming], S.W. China, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper' Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 21 February 1905.
Forrest writes to say he has returned disappointed from his trip south as it was the wrong time of year for seeds and plants. He asks Professor Balfour to send out seeds of flowers requested by Consul-General Wilkinson for the garden of the new consulate outside Yunnanfu. Thanks Balfour for his letter of 26 October 1904 naming the saxifrages. Forrest leaves for Dali tomorrow.
Plants referenced: Gentian; Saxifrage
Letter is very slightly fire damaged and marked with red ink.