Document information
Physical location:
MS 12521 Victorian Horticultural Society records, box 3401, p. 110, La Trobe Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. 61.10.02Preferred Citation:
Joseph Harris to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1861-10-02. 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//letters/1860-9/1861/61-10-02-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026
V. G. M. I. Society
1
Victorian Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society, Melbourne.
2/10/61
Sir
I had the honor a few days since of acknowledging receipt of your letter,
respecting the holding of the proposed Rose Show in the Botanic Gardens, in connection
with the above Society, I am now instructed by the Committee to convey to you their
appreciation & thanks for your kind suggestions & remarks respecting the inadvisability
of holding a Rose Show so close upon the Exhibition of the Horticultural Society The Committee expresses their deep regret that it does not lie in their power, either
to postpone or to hold the Show at an earlier period — the day was fixed upon at the
last general meeting of the Society, after a careful consideration as to when Roses
would be in perfection — & the Committee cannot see that a Rose Show can possibly
interfere with the general exhibition of the Horticultural Society: some considerable
expense too, has also been incurred in the printing of Schedules &c. & the Committee
thinks that having gone so far, they cannot with credit to the Society alter the date.
Again expressing the grateful obligation the Committee are under, for your courtesy
& kindness in always being willing to aid & assist them, thereby promoting the interests
of Horticulture.
2
M to J. Harris, 27 September 1861; J. Harris to M, 28 September 1861
reported that a meeting of the Committee had been called to consider it.
I have the honor to remain Sir
Yr obedt Servt
Jos. Harris (Hon. Sec.)
3
The show was held as a Rose Show and General Exhibition of Plants, Fruits and Vegetables.
At a meeting of the Society on 11 October the organizing Committee reported: 'Your
Committee have much pleasure in stating that Dr Mueller with his usual spirit of liberality,
furnished a quantity of plants & flowers for the purpose of decoration, & otherwise
rendered every assistance in his power —.'