Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne botanic & zoolog. Garden,

9. Dec. 1861

Sir

I have the honor of submitting to you a brief report on the work and proceedings in this establishment during the past month. The summer season having fully set in, it became necessary to screen the very many thousand valuable plants more recently reared in the nursery, especially the seedlings of rarer pines susceptible to injury during hot weather. In order to give more extended means for operation in the propagating department, we are now engaged to extend the central nursery building with such means and material as are at my command. The palm-house and the smaller conservatory received a new coat of paint, also most of the seats and gates. The remainder of the old paths in the reserve are now partially obliterated, as it is the intention to confine the public to certain convenient and handsome lines of walkes through the domain, by which means it will be possible to effect their being planted with umbrageous trees. For this purpose the ground will probably be broken up during the summer, so as to admit of transferring the necessary trees to the locality as soon as the leaves cede.

The last portion of iron fences, by which the main-garden is divided from the reserve, was nearly completed during the month, a most valuable and lasting improvement having thus been effected during the year.

Amongst the most valued contributions, which the garden received, were a case with living plants from the botanic Garden of Buitenzorg, Java, and an other from the Port Denison district.

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Now Bowen, Qld.

Many of the animals are now transferred to the Royal park, it being the intention to retain only a few of such, as will not necessitate any great expense or care in keeping.

Several botanical Gardens abroad have been still supplied with seeds, thus a very great number of kindred institutions being provided by us also abroad during the past year. For general introduction into Algeria, where his Excellency the Duke of Malakoff, is Governing, we transmitted a good supply of Blue Gum and Stringybark seeds, the Governor being desirous to raise quick growing timber trees in his territory. The same experiment, instituted under our aid around Jerusalem having all promises of success, according to information recently received.

Considerable attention was given to the requirements of the Victorian Exhibition at London,

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International Exhibition, London, 1862.

as regards vegetable substances. With this view the series of distilled oils has been increased during the month, also the timber collection &c.

I omitted to remark, that with several of the last-sailed clippers Emus and other birds have been sent by me on behalf of the Acclimation Society for liberation in Algeria, which contributions will be followed up by the transmission of Kangaroos & other animals suitable and desirable for liberation in that country. This interchange is the more encouraging, as the French Government have declared their willingness to receive these communications through their London Ambassador.

The second set of fittings at the botanical museum is completed during the past month.

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c