Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. For the text given here, see 'Seeds in the desert', Argus, 16 November 1861, p. 7 (B61.11.03). M is responding to two letters published in the Argus , 15 November 1861, p. 7, one by E. Trickett and the other by 'Anti-Nardoo'.

Sir, —

Allow me to inform the correspondents of your valued paper, who point to the importance of providing seeds of useful plants for exploring parties, that not only the expedition under the command of Messrs. Burke and Wills, but also Commander Norman's expedition,

2

Captain W. H. Norman commanded SS Victoria, flagship of the Victorian navy, which was sent to the Gulf of Carpentaria as part of the relief expeditions sent to search for Burke and Wills.

and Mr. Howitt's party,

3

Alfred Howitt led the relief expedition sent to Cooper’s Creek to search for Burke and Wills, long overdue from their journey to the Gulf of Carpenaria.

were provided with seeds of economic, antiscorbutic, or otherwise useful plants, including sorghum, maize, cress, mustard, numerous kinds of melons and culinary vegetables, New Zealand flax, forage and fruit plants, and umbrageous trees.

I should have regarded it unnecessary to state this, had not several gentlemen, including some of the seed vendors of the city, most willingly and liberally added from their private gardens and establishments to the supply of seeds, which was furnished for the exploring expeditions from the Botanic Garden; also, when I had the honour of accompanying Mr. Gregory through tropical Australia,

4

North Australian Exploring Expedition, 1855-6.

as well as in other journeys, I availed myself gladly of opportunities of aiding in the distribution and dissemination of useful plants through Australia.

Melbourne Botanic Garden, Nov. 14.