The book contains numbered sessions of creating microscope slides. The plant subject is listed along with the process used to create the slides and, in many cases, the slides' recipients. According to RBGE microscopist F. Christie, looking at the notes it appears to be plant fixation and histology prior to the preparation of microscope slides for light microscopy. Each part of the plant would need to be treated differently according to how easy it was to slice. The notes refer to the whole process of preparing the slides so for example, some of the samples didn’t cut very well first time but when soaked overnight produced better sections. This information would have saved a lot of experimentation in the future if the process was to be repeated.
The book was thought to By Matthew Young Orr's but his dates at RBGE do not match up with the dates of staff receiving the slides: John Anthony, Jimmy Keenan, Mr Roberts, Dr Blyth, Douglas Henderson, John Macqueen Cowan, Mr Lyle, P. Davies (Peter Davis?), Alexander Nelson, Dr Burns, Mr Green (Peter Green?), B.L. Burtt and Andrew Grierson. The book may have been created by Orr? But perhaps more likey Heather Prentice, Ella Stott, Willie Dickson or Archie McLeod?
The book was an unused 1941 diary.
List produced on RBGE embossed paper, bound together to form a book; beginning with Ranunculaceae, there are 330 pages of plants growing in the Garden in 1883 (though the 3 could also be interpreted as a 5); the book has an index at the back.
•Two boxes papers regarding loans and correspondence, divided from 1921-32 and from 1947-50
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew•Menu and invitation to the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Bicentenary celebrations (2009)
Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society•Letter to W.H. Campbell from Rutherford (8 January 1840)
Rutherford, Revd. A•Notes on his Rocky Mountain and Appalachian Expeditions (1933-1937)
Sandeman, F.D. Stewart•Copy of the Scrapbook of Robert Scarlett, containing mostly newspaper articles (1909-1953)
Scarlett, RobertSAB/1: Minute Books, 4 volumes
SAB/2: Accounts
SAB/3: Correspondence / papers
SAB/4: Publications
SAB/5: Photo Album
SAB/6: Maps
SAB/7: Ephemera / Objects including snuff mull and leather bag
1 photograph album showing the range of activities of the Scottish Natural History Society at the end of the 1890s.
Edinburgh Natural History Society6 boxes containing minute books, signature books, papers from various committees including finance, editorial and show, papers from various presidents and secretaries, papers relating to the Scottish Garden Tour, 1991 (6th International Rock Garden Plant Conference), Golden jubilee certificate and logo masters, Alpines Conference 1991, Scottish Horticultural medal, Archival cuttings, Exploration Fund, Jubilee Salver, papers relating to shows and awards, Diamond Jubilee 1993, questionnaires, membership papers, publication files and files on seed distribution.
Two cabinets of 35mm slides comprising 10 drawers full, the Davidson Slide Collection, were also donated in April 2017.
Journal Ephemera box comprises a selection of notices, accounts, show schedules, members lists and the first syllabus relating to the activities of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, dating between 1933 and 1999.