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96.03.26

Plant names

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Eugene Hilgard to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1896-03-26. 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/96-03-26>, accessed June 18, 2025

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'The value of saltbush', Weekly times, 9 May 1896, p. 31. The letter is introduced by
A representative of this Journal recently called on Baron von Mueller, the Government Botanist, who favored us with an interesting account received from California, regarding the success of Antriplex [Atriplex] Semibaccutum in the Alkali land. For years this land was nothing but a barren waste, until it was suggested by Baron von Mueller that they should try our Australian saltbush. He forwarded seeds of various varieties, but the above mentioned variety was the most successful. Now this land has rapidly increased in value, and is being sought after. Professor Hilgard, of the University of California, in a letter, dated March 26, 1896, makes the following remarks:—‘.
The reason why the other saltbushes have not been mentioned more prominently is simply that they have not showed up to great advantage on the Alkali soil (of all kinds and grades) on our Tulara
2
Tulare; see Nye (1983). For Atriplex, see p. 440: 'As station publications and local newspapers advertised the results of the Tulare saltbush tests, a heavy demand for seed developed, originating not only in California, but in the western United States and abroad as well. More extensive and long-term private experimentation, however, revealed that the celebration which accompanied the introduction of the saltbush was premature. The plant grew well on salty soils and was acceptable to sheep and fowl, but it would not be eaten by cattle. Having no practical value as a forage plant for cattle, it quickly fell into disrepute among farmers.
station. But the
Atriplex Semibaccatum

Search for Atriplex Semibaccatum in

spread wherever it touched the ground, even in the hard-trodden stable yard of that station and on roads, which none of the others will do. Sheep, cattle and horses are particular in selecting A. Semibaccata.
3
A. semibaccatum and A. semibaccata are orthographic variants; see APNI.
We find this plant refuses to do anything of practical value outside of Alkali lands. Here, at the central station, Bukeley,
4
Typesetter's error for Berkeley?
it is the least successful, remaining quite inconspicuous. Where planted thick, it grows taller, and can be cut with a scythe for fodder. We cultivated nine species sent by you. Our publication on this subject has created quite a stir.
5
Jaffa (1894).
We sent 25lb of seed, at Messrs Vilmovin's request, to France, and smaller amounts to Egypt and Russia, besides distributing about 270lb in the United States, west of the Rocky Mountains, and all the way from Arizona to British Columbia. Of course, I do not expect the plant to succeed in the severe climates of Montana and Dakota; but I have heard favorable accounts of it in Northern Utah, where the ground was frozen several inches deep. The present season will yield valuable information regarding the northern limits of its usefulness. For the present year we have been requested to send 500lb of seed to eastern seedmen.
6
Although there is no closing quotation mark, this is apparently the end of the extract from the letter of 26 March 1896. The item continues ' The Professor remarked in a former letter that the value of this one plant to the Alkali country of California had more than paid the expense's of experimental grounds from the commencement.' See E. Hilgard to M, 3 December 1895, where Hilgard attributes this remark to 'One enthusiastic editor'.
This article was reprinted in other newspapers, for example the Horsham times , 26 May 1896, p. 4.