Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS written by Ernst Heyne and signed by M.

Melbourne botanic garden

November 1st 1862.

Sir

I have the honor of submitting a succinct progress-report on the labors performed in this establishment during the past month. The whole ground has received the necessary attention required at the spring season and exhibits a very pleasing aspect. The mowing of the lawns is already partially carried out, and this work together with the ordinary calls on our labor leaves now, when the garden personal is far reduced, no means of effecting new improvements. These however will be initiated, whenever the funds for the coming year will be available. The formation of the new western walk is meanwhile considerably progressed, the Palm house part of the zoological enclosures &c received a coat of painting and a good deal of labor was devoted for the purpose of subdueing the

Cryptostemma

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(that intrusive South African weed) by cutting it and preventing thereby as far as possible its seeding. It is my intention to admit next spring a flock of sheep into the reserve adjoining the garden, where the weed is so plentyful, by which means the plant will probably be kept under; such arrangement could this season not be entered into, since the trees raised or planted in the reserve are yet too small to be exposed to the flocks.

The garden received during the month consignments of seeds from a number of botanic Gardens of the European Continent, amongst which the contributions from Petersburg and Vienna are particularly notable.

A share of the seeds collected by Mr McKinlay during his expedition,

2

The South Australian Government's Burke and Wills relief expedition, 1861. After McKinlay found that Alfred Howitt's party had found and buried Burke and Wills at Cooper's Creek, he explored further in the region and then followed Burke's track to the Gulf of Carpentaria before going to Bowen in Qld.

was presented by the Government of South Australia. The Shipment of 23 Waterbirds to the zoological Gardens of Regents Park was effected per Yorkshire. Some plates for the work on Victorian plants were executed during the month, and the 21st No. of the Fragmenta,

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B62.10.02.

containing the descriptions of many novelties of our botanical Museum, was completed.

I beg to avail myself of this opportunity of soliciting the consideration of the Government for the extension of the Yan Yean Aqueducts to the botanic Garden,

4

See Lamb (1996).

whenever not more important demands on these great waterworks require the precedence. Not only would the growth of the plants in this arid locality be much increased and facilitated by a constant supply of water, but also a not inconsiderable annual expenditure would be saved, which now is incurred by providing water from cisterns or by hand or wheel carriage.

I regret to be obliged to bring under the notice of the honorable the Chief Secretary, that Mr Dallachy, formerly Curator of this garden, is at present in a state of absolute destitution. But as Mr Dallachy has always shown great zeal in collecting material for the botanical Museum, I propose if approved of by the honorable the Chief Secretary, to employ him from the beginning of next year or if possible already before, at ordinary wages collecting in a district where his labors will be advantageous and where he likewise will be under surveillance.

The honorable the Chief Secretary

5

On 8 November 1862 O'Shanassy minuted: 'Ask the Hon the C. of Public works if he can oblige me with an Estimate of the cost of laying on the Yan Yean to the Gardens Dr Mueller might supply me with the actual outlay incurred for the use of water at the B. Gardens & the rate of payment he proposes to give Mr Dallachy also how long his engagement is to last in collecting &c'. See also M to J. O'Shanassy, 12 November 1862 in which M gives the annual cost of watering the Melbourne Botanic Garden as £275, and recommends that Dallachy should be paid £3 a week for as long as his work was satisfactory.