Document information

Physical location:

MS 12521 Victorian Horticultural Society records, box 3401, p. 110, La Trobe Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne. 61.10.02

Preferred 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,
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.
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.
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 —.'