Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'The cultivation of tea', Australasian, 18 March 1865, p.8 (B65.03.05).

Sir,—

It affords me much pleasure to forward an interesting communication, written by an intelligent and experienced planter of India, recommendatory of the cultivation of the tea plant in these colonies.

2

H. Sterndale to M, February 1865 (in this edition as 65-02-00f).

Not only do I fully concur in his view, that the growth of this important commodity should be encouraged in Victoria, but, indeed, I have recommended tea cultivation fully ten years ago in my annual reports, and distributed subsequently several thousand tea plants over Victoria and the adjoining colonies, in order that its fitness for cultivation in this climate might be fully tested. Even in comparatively sterile ground, exposed to drought and devoid of irrigation, the tea plant has become in this garden well developed. Hence there can be no doubt that in the rich soil of any of our sheltered forest ranges, especially on the slopes of humid valleys, in which fern trees delight, the tea plant would luxuriate. But in any good soil to which irrigation can be readily applied, the plant would form at least a desirable adjunct to the products of the agriculturist, and give remunerative employment to the juvenile and infirm.—

Melbourne Botanic Garden, March 12