Part 101 - Sumbatse to Choram: seed collections and travel plans, mid-September

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SUMMARY:
From Sumbatse, the diarist records seed collections and transport delays due to a troublesome headman, then stays overnight en route to Choram. Plans are outlined for a future trip to the Black Mountain in Bhutan and exploration of Pemako via Sadiya, and at Choram they meet Tsongpen, collect more Adonis seed, and note heavy showers and his reports from Tsari.

CONTENT:
From Sumbatse. Sept. 16th Seeds: Primula tibetica 2602, Adenophora liliifolia 2604, Adenophora gracilis 2605, Dracocephalum tanguticum 2607, Saussurea 2608.

Transport took ages to collect, as the headman there had given us a good deal of trouble; we decided to stay a night here, instead of doing Choram in one day. Collected on the way a good many seeds of Primula sikkimensis, and some of the white Adonis (Adonis brevistyla var. dutchuensis 1600), which we took at Choram in May. It is a queer seed and does not look ripe, but K.W. told us he got the seed, and he passed through just before 15th Sept. I have pretty well decided to try a 3-month trip next summer, May, June, July, to the Black Mountain in Bhutan if permission is given by the Maharaja. And for the year after, I am trying to find out all I can about the Pemako area from the South. It would save a huge round by Gyantse, and I'm pretty sure the Bhutanese in Pemako would take me anywhere if only I can get in from Sadiya.

17th Sept. Choram. Fine most of the day, with some very heavy showers. Took a lot of Adonis seed (Adonis brevistyla var. dutchuensis 1600) on the way up here. Tsongpen was here and rather depressed. When he met me he said he had not done well in Tsari, but actually he has done as well as possible; although he has not many 'wanted' things, he has seeds of some quite interesting stuff. He had worse rain than when I went round the Kingkor. His chief excitement was...