Set of letters and notes between William Wright Smith, A. Grove, H.D. McLaren, F.C. Puddle, and William Edgar Evans and including references to Messels of Nymans, all relating to Frank Kingdon Ward's Lilium wardii no. 6034.

Letter from George Forrest, China Inland Mission, Talifu [Dali], Yunnan, to Isaac Bayley Balfour, 'Regius Keeper', Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, dated 04 April 1905.
Forrest writes that he has received the photographic plates and thanks Balfour for the present of books; he was greatly cheered by his letter as he was beginning to lose heart. Forrest discusses provenance and identification of primulas and cassiope and asks for hints on the packing of bulbs of lilies and orchids. Forrest hopes to leave Talifu [Dali] on 10 April but he is having trouble hiring transport as the Wei Hsi pass at an elevation of 14,000 feet, the only way to Tsekou [Cigu], is infested by robbers, a tribe of aborigines called Lisaws [Lissoos], dispossessed of their lands by the Chinese. ‘Occasionally they make a raid on the caravans crossing from Chu Tien on the Yangtze to Wei Hsi. They have no firearms, but use powerful crossbows and small poisoned arrows which the Chinese are mortally afraid of.’ Longer delay would mean losing many of the spring flowers. Forrest is pleased that Balfour knows of his engagement to Miss Clementina Traill and asks if one of the new species could be named after her. Has received way bill from Cook & Son for the second batch of plants numbering 220 which he sent off on 13 January. Warns that Balfour will hear nothing further for the next ten months as he will not return to Tali until January or February next year [1906]. Mr Bulley wishes him to remain out until at least 1907. Forrest reports that all over Yunnan and the west of China, the locals use the beans and pods of Gleditschia [Gleditsia] sinensis, Lamb. and Sapindus Mukorossi, Gaertn. to wash their clothes.
Plants referenced: Cassiope; Cypripedium; Gleditsia; Lily; Pine; Primula; Sapindus; Saxifrage
Letter has been burnt and there has been some loss.

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.

1 sheet written on both sides. Written by Frank Ludlow for JH Hicks

Sent with letter HJH/3/3/4 'Letter from F Ludlow to JH Hicks,' 18 July 1949: "I enclose a list of the Black and White negatives and Colour transparencies which you took in East Bhutan."

Contains a list of photographs of specimens taken by JH Hicks in East Bhutan.

Each line contains the specimen number, specimen name and denotes if it was taken in 'B&W' [black and white] or 'colour'

Bi-fold Christmas card, with a blank front and back. Adhered to the inside on the right is a colour photograph with a caption written by George Sherriff. Left side has a pre-printed message. George Sherriff signed for both of them.

The photograph is in colour and features Lilium rubellum, presumably taken by George Sherriff in the garden at Ascreavie.

TRANSCRIPTION

printed text in bold

[INSIDE LEFT]
[COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH]

Lilium rubellum

[INSIDE RIGHT]

With all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year
[signed] George + Betty

Ascreavie

Bi-fold Christmas card. Pre-printed card, featuring artwork by Margaret Stones entitled "Flowers of the Himalays."

Written sometime after the death of her husband in 1967 and before her death in 1979

Proceeds for card went to "Tibetan Refugee Children"

TRANSCRIPTION

printed text in bold

[INSIDE LEFT]

"FLOWERS OF THE HIMALAYAS"
Meconopsis betonicifolia (baileyi)
Lilium sherriffiae
Meconopsis sherriffii

[INSIDE RIGHT]

This Card, drawn by Margaret Stones,
takes with it the wish to help
TIBETAN REFUGEE CHILDREN
to find education & happiness in Dr. Graham's Homes
at Kalimpong, Bengal, India

WITH ALL GOOD WISHES FOR CHRISTMAS
AND THE NEW YEAR
from
[signed] Betty Sherriff

Ascreavie