Copy
Melbourne, 28th February 1883
Messrs Watson & Scull
London
Gentlemen
By the P. & O. steamship Siam you will receive the large case with the
-fern, concerning which I wrote to you by last mail,
as intended for the Horticultural Exhibition of St Petersburg. As this international
floral fete commences early in May, it is necessary, that the
should speedily be despatched to the final destination; but as in April still severe
frosts may occur in St. Petersburg and even in England, care should be taken, to prevent
exposure to low degrees of temperature. It is also undesirable to open the case in
London, as it could not be properly closed again and as thereby the growth of young
fronds would be disturbed. An assistant of mine has seen the huge case on board and
safely lodged in the hold of the ship, so that under ordinary circumstances no damage
through seawater, rats or frost can occur. The chief officer has taken a particular
interest in this sending, and I would advise you, to see that gentleman personally
on board, so that proper arrangements for safe reshipment are made. I deemed it best
that the freight be paid in London
and have therefore sent a draft for £20 out of which the freight and the commission
can be paid; and it seems best to defray also on my account the freight to St. Petersburg
so that this exhibit may arrive there quite free, after the heavy expenses of dragging
it here out of the ranges. Please telegraph at once after the receipt of this letter
to His Excellency Dr. Von Regel, and see personally to the safe transit on board of
the St Petersburg steamer, explaining to the officer in charge, that frost and seawater
would be detrimental to this precious sending, and that a case weighing over 4000
lbs needs special arrangements for handling and for location in the hold of his ship.
Please be also very careful that you get the right case, as on the Siam among the
Exhibition goods for Amsterdam is another case with a
, quite as large but not so heavy. It so happened that a second Fern-giant was discovered
and so I sent it through the Victorian commissioners to Amsterdam. The case to Petersburg
is distinctly addressed to Dr. Regel.
I require at once a special account, properly receipted, to be made out by you for
freight and commission, so that it can be passed to the Treasury here.
Respectfully yours
(Signed) Ferd. von Mueller
