The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: Melbourne botanic Garden ¶ 25 February 1863. ¶ Sir ¶ ¶ In reply to your letter, dated 23 february, ¶ I have the honor to inform you, that a considerable number of pines and a great variety of orname...

Document information

Physical location:

G63/2095, unit 58, VPRS 44/P inward registered and unregistered correspondence, VA 538 Department of Crown Lands and Survey, Public Record Office, Victoria. 63.02.25

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Clement Hodgkinson, 1863-02-25. 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/1860-9/1863/63-02-25-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

MS written by Carl Wilhelmi and signed by M.

Melbourne botanic Garden

25 February 1863.

Sir

In reply to your letter, dated 23 february,

C. Hodgkinson to M, 23 February 1863 (in this edition as 63-02-23b).

I have the honor to inform you, that a considerable number of pines and a great variety of ornamental shrubs may be obtained at this establishment during the month of May next for the parks and Gardens under the control of the Board of Lands and Works. The supply however of deciduous trees is much more limited. I would beg to suggest that the parties in charge of the different parks and gardens should timely furnish a precise statement of how many pines, how many deciduous trees and how many shrubs &c are required so that, in time for early planting on which the success of removing plants mainly depends, such supplies as are at my disposal may be rendered available. I would beg to direct your attention particularly to the desirability, that all the ground may be prepared for the reception of the plants not later than the end of April, many plants especially the pines, (which valuable trees cannot always be restored) suffering much if transplanted during the cold wintermonths, should the season prove wet.

I have the honor to be

Sir,

your most obedient and humble servant

Ferd Mueller.

Clement Hodgkinson Esqr

Assistant Commissioner of Land and Survey.

&c&c&c

On 6 March Hodgkinson noted on the file: 'With reference to Dr Mueller's kind suggestions in this communication I will see that they be strictly carried out in the various reserves under my charge and will consequently be able to receive the plants during the latter part of May. I have myself appended lists of the plants required, as I do not entrust the caretakers of the reserves with the preparation of such lists. (Lists on other side)'.

Hodgkinson's lists detail the plants required for the reserve at Flagstaff Hill, the Fitzroy Gardens, and South Park [now Albert Park], and are heavily annotated, apparently recording what had been supplied. The list for Flagstaff Hill has an annotation by M: '20 Pinus insignis | 4 Wellingtonia | 1 Cupress. Lambert.'.

On the cover of the file there is a summary list, as follows, the final part of which is clearly a later addition:

Pinus Pinea 1375

P. Halepensis 382

P. Silvestrus 60

P. Insignus 50

P. Pinaster 30

Cedrus Deodara 202

Select Pines 45

Evergreen oaks 6

Blue Gum 154

Pittosporum 50

Gleditschia 100

[Mellias] 20

Elms 3

Willows 50

Figs Moreton Bay 40

Total 2597

also July 8th

Wellingtonas 2

Moreton Bay figs 6

Deodars 14

Cypressus 50

Pines 300

On 6 March 1863 Hodgkinson forwarded to M the whole file, including the cover; see C. Hodgkinson to M, 26 March 1863.