Letter from George Forrest, Talifu [Dali], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, RBGE, dated 08 November 1904, in which Forrest confirms the despatch of 380 plant specimens collected on his recent journey to Tzekou [Cigu]. Next trip will be to the north of the Lichiang [Lijiang] valley, working the range of mountains which cause the Yangtze bend and along the base of an immense glacier on the eastern slope of the Lichiang peak. If this proves unproductive he will go on again to the Chung Tien plateau which he and Litton were the first Europeans to visit. Believes the range forming the Mekong and Salween divide to be exceptionally rich in rhododendrons, azaleas, gentians, primulas and a five foot tall lilium with immense white bloom marked in red and highly perfumed. Specimens have been collected by the missionary fathers at Tzekou who will send bulbs to Balfour and Bulley via consul Litton. Describes journey north into Tibet with Litton, leaving Talifu [Dali] on 29 August, returning 53 days later, having covered around 1000 miles. On being mobbed at the horse fair at Sung Kwei they had to draw their revolvers in defence but had some horses and mules stolen. Gives details of their route to and from Tibet, describing plants and vegetation and a river crossing by sling bridge, illustrated by a sketch. Has felt depressed since returning to Tali, probably a reaction to so much travel and constant exposure to wet conditions and extremes of heat and cold. Regrets that all his photographs were spoiled by dampness and intends to ask Bulley for a supply of photographic plates. Confirms that there is a pine belt in Yunnan and part of Tibet, generally starting at about 9,500 feet and continuing to about 15,000 feet.
Letter from Grace Forrest, Linden Cottage, Loanhead, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, RBGE, dated 18 November 1904, sending a copy of her brother’s diary of his journey from Bhamo to Tali [Dali]. Her last news was from Tibet where ‘Mr Litton and he were suffering greatly from the changes of atmosphere’.
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 5 January 1905.
Forrest describes sending Balfour 213 specimens via Cook and Son, Rangoon. He returned to Dali 10 days ago from second trip north. He is unable to go further than Chung Tien as the Atunze [Atuntze, now Tehtsin] pass is blocked by snow. Has taken notes on his journey from Chung Tien down the plateau to the Yangtze, to be incorporated into Mr Litton’s report to the Government. Asks again for names of three saxifrage specimens sent with his letter of 7 September. Leaves for Yunnanfu on Tuesday 10 [January] with Consul General Wilkinson to travel south to Mengtzu. On return, Forrest will go straight to Tsekou [Cigu] and work north and east from there for rest of the year. Mr Bulley wishes him to go into Lolo country which he will do if he can get two reliable Tibetans to act as guide and servant. Intends to work across from Atunze into an area blank on the map, intersected by rivers Yangtze, Li-tang and Ya-lung. ‘The great difficulty of course is the keeping clear of the lamasseries. This is Lolo country and it would …be no use taking Chinese …The hatred between them is intense. I would only be able to manage with Tibetans and these again are entirely under the thumb of the lamas.’
Plants referenced: Rhododendron; Saxifrage
The letter is fire damaged with some loss of text.
Letter from George Forrest, Talifu [Dali] to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 7 January 1905.
Forrest writes to say he has added a further 8 specimens to the consignment referred to in his previous letter.
The letter is slightly fire damaged and marked with red ink.
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 09 January 1905.
Forrest writes to say he has despatched a parcel with specimens and looks forward to having a fine collection from Tsekou [Cigu] and the ranges north, if Mr Bulley sanctions the trip. Weather gloriously clear. ‘During this season of the year Tali is an ideal place for a health resort and is utterly lost on such people as the Chinese. I mean the valley of course not the city.’
Letter is fire damaged.
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.
Letter from A.K. Bulley, Ness, Neston, Cheshire, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, RBGE, dated 21 February 1905.
Bulley is searching for a head of the Nursery at Ness. Refers to Forrest’s difficulties with heat and cold. ‘Next year he should have a very good time of it. I like him.’
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali] to Professor Isaac Bayley Balfour, Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 10 March 1905.
Forrest writes to say he has collected about 200 specimens during his trip to Yunnanfu [Kunming]. Asks if Professor Balfour received two packages despatched on November 14 (380 specimens) and January 10 (220 specimens). Advises him to pay no heed to Mr Wilkinson’s request for flower seeds if it means bother and expense.
Letter is scorched.
Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 22 March 1905.
Forrest writes to give details of his disappointing journey south. He never reached Mengtze as Mr Wilkinson preferred Forrest to assist him in laying out ground at the new consulate outside Yunnanfu [Kunming]. Regrets small number of seeds and specimens. Reports that a letter thrown over the mission gate warns of a plot to burn down the mission and murder the missionaries; the attack to take place during the great spring fair on the 15th of the 3rd Chinese moon, i.e. 19th April. ‘Missionaries are going to take no steps in the matter … and say that if anything does take place they forbid me to shoot, but -.’
Plants referenced: Camellia; Rhododendron; Saxifrage
The letter is fire damaged with some loss.