Ferdinand von Mueller

24/9/64

My dear Dr Hooker.

Since probably only through my department you could learn of the arrival of the kork-oaks recently sent to me from Kew for the Acclimation Society of Victoria, I avail myself of the earliest opportunity of informing you, that about ¾ of them arrived alife and as the Acclimation Society has placed the plants temporary under my care, I have no doubt that some 800 young valuable trees will be rendered available for distribution by the Society.

Had I known, that the payment of the freight was the obstacle of sending them here, I should have asked you to be so kind to let me have for the credit of my special department, the botanic Garden, any of the Oaks available on my paying the freight here; the climate here is most appropriate to this plant & in a young onstruggling community we need such plants, from which we may derive articles for new industries in large numbers. Hence altho' I have raised a few hundreds kork-oaks from acorns sent me by friends in France & Italy, any additional quantities would not come amiss. I hope you will kindly remember, that to enjoy public support in my position & to be a benefactor through my department to the colony, I need all the support so rich an institute like yours at Kew can afford & that you will also be conscious, that I have made on many occasions all the efforts possibly within my power to aid your establishment, for which as one instance I may quote the presentation of the timber collection.

1

The timber collection formed by M for exhibition at the London International Exhibition in 1862 was transferred to Kew. See M to W. Hooker, 20 December 1862.

I remain, dear Dr Hooker, always with perfect obedience your