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Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, ff. 203-4. 66.03.23a

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1866-03-23 [66.03.23a]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/66-03-23a>, accessed September 11, 2025

23/3/66
Dear Dr Hooker
I have to reply to your friendly note of 13. jan.
1
Letter not found.
We had no rain to speak of for 7 or 8 months & thus with a very limited water supply (having to pay for water) and more than 400 acres planted under my surveillance and about 20,000 trees to keep alife (shrubs &c uncounted) I had a dreadful summer of it. Still I weathered all my young plants through with less than one percent loss, i.e. by incessant attention day & night. We have here about as much difficulty to combat again the destructive heat of the summer as you to overcome the effects of the frosts of a long winter.
I have made many new arrangements since I issued my last reports & will annually mark on a reduced plan the improvements. That will bring at a glance before the eye what has been done every year.
My new laboratory for chemical & technological examination of vegetable substances, especially raw material for export, is just completed.
2
See M to J. McCulloch, 2 March 1866 (in this edition as 66-03-02a).
My first attention will be directed to dry distillation of our timber; I want to see what tar, acetic acid, &c &c they will yield.
3
See B67.13.07. This report compares yields with those of several European species; other data on chemical composition are given in B67.13.08, p. 256, and a list of the preparations made in the laboratory and exhibited is at pp 256-8.
Simultaneously I shall look into material for paper-making.
4
See B67.13.08.
The oils have been done in 1861 & 1862.
5
See B62.13.01.
I am very fond of chemistry but have of course not much leisure. One great feature lately established in the garden valley are the Australian & N.Z fern trees brought over in large size & in masses, quite a semblance of the fern tree gullies. The wild ravines of the reserves I fill with
Vitis vinifera

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, Rubi of all sorts (as far as available) Gooseberries, Strawberries &c for children to gather in the upgrowing pine forest. My willow avenue through the dry ridges is a great success.
I may mention, that the whole of the plantations & arrangements & ideas are my own . Could you not help me to a good collection of Rubi & Salices ? Such plants are useful to us forever. Herbaceous plants & mere ornamental shrubs are either useless or ephemeral.
Sonder has sent me
Colchicum

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,
Vaccinium Myrtillus

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& other very useful plants. The
Crocus

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from you will be most welcome. In a new country we naturally strive for objects of utility. I forgot to mention the elevations in my garden plan; the highest ridge is 120' above the Yarra-level.
Ever your regardful
Ferd Mueller
The roots, consigned by you kindly to me by this mail did not arrive. All heavy things remained seemingly behind. Our lake is almost entirely dried out !! One week more of rainless weather & the rest of the enormous expanse will have evaporated.
Acorns of foreign oaks sown in Wardian Cases would be most useful. I suppose you have many species of
Quercus

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in bearing. I will return the cases filled with
Araucaria

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plants. Seeds of any pines are most useful, to raise them for all the new cemeteries, school — & church reserves.
The tubers of the terrestrial Orchids must have reached you by this time
6
See M to J. Hooker, 6 December 1865.