Ferdinand von Mueller

1

For published copies of this letter see Argus, 26 May 1875, p. 6 (B75.05.03), and the other sources listed in that entry.

Mount Gellibrand

17/5/75

The honorable

Rob. Ramsay, M.L.A. &c &c

Sir

In accordance with your request, just conveyed to me,

2

On 5 May 1875 Edward M. Curr, Chief Inspector of Sheep and Stock, forwarded to the Chief Secretary a letter he had received from the veterinary surgeon Graham Mitchell:

Melbourne

May 5th 1875

E. M. Curr Esq.

Chief Inspector of Stock

Sir

I have the honor to state that there is good reason for believing that numerous deaths have and are occuring amongst Stock caused by eating injurious plants and seeds, last year several milch cows died in a manner to arouse suspicioun of poisoning and the grains supplied to the animals were suspected as the cause, recently I have had cases brought under my notice in private practice which having been followed up on behalf of the owners has resulted in finding the seed known as Drake, Darnel, Lolium Temulentum a recognised poison in quantity, is being accidently or intentionally mixed with grain and sold for animals food there is also reason to believe that the Darnel is used for other purposes being largely purchased by certain persons.

I would beg to suggest that Baron Von Mueller should be requested to report upon this poison for the information of the public and by that means probably put a stop to its being used, and so that it may be recognised as injurious in any form of food for man or the lower animals, The Colonial seed is much larger and probably stronger in its effects than the european sample given to me for comparison by Baron Von Mueller[.]

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your Obedient Servant

Graham Mitchell

The Acting Chief Secretary, R. Ramsay, approved the suggestion on 11 May 1875, and on 14 May W. Odgers, Under Secretary, minuted: 'Referred to Govt. Botanist accordingly to communicate with Mr Curr.' M replied: 'Received and reported on 17/5/75. Ferd. von Mueller (at Mt Gellibrand)'.

I have the honor to report, that the Darnel (phytographically known as Lolium temulentum) possesses well ascertained poisonous properties, as indeed the specific name implies. It extends naturally over a great part of Europe and Asia as well as the northern parts of Africa, where it usually inhabits cornfields. With ill-sifted seedgrains of cereals it has found its way into Australia, where it is known since very many years, to occur in a manner similar to its occurrence in Britain. The Darnel-grain is easily recognized by a comparison of its structure to that of English Ryegrass, the resemblance in general being considerable, but the Darnel seed being larger than that of the Ryegrass. These two grasses are furthermore distinguished by the Ryegrass being perennial while the Darnel is annual or occasionally biennial; moreover the lowest scales of the flowers of the former are much shorter than the rest taken together, whereas in the Darnel the flower masses are equalled or even surpassed in length by the lowest flowerscales. The properties of the Darnelseed are somewhat narcotic, and if this noxious grain is allowed to run up in quantity on cornfields, and is not removed from the cereal grains finally by careful sifting, then, as European experience has long since shown, actual poison-cases may occur as well to human beings as to animals feeding on grain. Even in crushed foddergrains the existence of Darnel can usually be detected from the fragments of its seeds, which are unlike those of any ordinary grain used for flour or fodder. I do not think that on all such occasions, when the Darnel-seeds occur in cereals, submitted to the market, this arises from any willing or premeditated intention to add by the Darnel to the bulk of the Cereal. This adulteration occurs usually through bad culture on ill managed fields, subsequent imperfect cleaning of the cereal and oftener still by the refuse of cornbarns being sold as a cheap fodder, the seller as well as the purchaser being alike unacquainted, I should think in most or all instances, of the danger thus incurred.