Document information

Physical location:

RBG Kew, Kew correspondence, Australia, Mueller, 1858-70, f. 443. 70.08.11

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Joseph Hooker, 1870-08-11. 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/70-08-11>, accessed September 11, 2025

Melbourne bot. Garden
11/8/70.
On several occasions, dear Dr Hooker, I raised
Nuytsia

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seeds, and I believe the seeds of Loranthi with their viscid protection will stand a few months voyage. The young plants of
Nuytsia

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, I fear, will not move readily over sea.
I will of course send you more glass cases with plants, altho’ I anticipate, that some of your consignments must be put reciprocally against my
Todea

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. Moreover my Department has been reduced from £5000 (approxim.) to little more than £3000, if my poor salary is kept out. So you can see, that with high wages and 50,000 plants annually to be grown for parks cemeteries, hospitals churches, schools &c and with phytochemic researches in my laboratory and the maintenance of ground quite as extensive as yours, my wings are cut for flight any far, and thus I do not know where labor and money is to be found from so empoverished an establishment to maintain interchanges of Glass cases on an extended scale. I mention this candidly, lest you might think me a miser in my reciprocities, and thus to avoid any disappointments to you. I spent now close on £8000 of my own means, indeed all I had, in the Department & have had no thanks from most men in power & in influence for this sacrifice.
As I not even enjoyed domestic comfort & happiness, you will own, that the sacrifice has been a great one to me in life, and I will therefore not engage in any costly interchanges any more, until my future may become more bright.
These lines, pray remember, can only be used in private conversations confidentially, as I do not wish to appear agitating however discouraged I may be —
your regardful
Ferd von Mueller
The worst is, I cannot even choose my own men for the Garden & must put up with who ever seniority enjoys.