Letter from King George

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The six Wardian cases arrived shortly after King left for the Cinchona plantation. Pantling reported high mortality. King corresponded about Vanda gigantea and V. lowii, planning to send both from Singapore next year using Wardian cases. He will also send Cinchona product samples for Kew’s museum and is testing quinine production with a new steam boiler. Beddome has shifted the Nilgiri plantations to the Forest Department. King discusses matting materials, paper from plantain and bamboo fibres, and staff changes—Craig is now curator. He’s requested an assistant curator and shared opinions on candidates with Thiselton-Dyer.