The volumes are closed to public access until conservation has been carried out, due to being fragile and unfit for production. The volumes have been digitised and images are available for consultation
The series comprises commercially-produced yearly diaries in which manuscript garden records were maintained. The first diary gives temperature readings at Heatherbank during part of 1888, and records sightings of animals and birds at Wisley, and work to be carried out there. The succeeding volumes, 1890-1902, relate exclusively to Wisley. They record weather conditions in greater detail (temperature, and often also wind direction, barometric pressure, rainfall measurements), plants in flower, sightings of animals, birds and butterflies, tasks done, such as plantings, placing or removing grease bands from fruit trees, the first appearance of winter moths, visitors to Wisley, the summer garden parties, and a record of pests and game trapped or shot. Tatnall's grammar is at times inscrutable, eg 'Boat arrive from Weybridge' (18 Jan 1894). There is no journal for 1889