Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Transcription taken from a photocopy now in the library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, of a letter in M's hand, the original of which can no longer be found.

Melbourne bot. Garden,

13/6/66.

Sir

In reply to your letter received this day I have the honor to inform you, that after about 40,000 plants to public institutions have been supplied this season, the supply of nearly all border plants is exhausted at my nurseries. The very few kinds still available I will be happy to supply any morning at 9 to any duely authorized agent, who will attend to the packing & transmission & sign the papers at my office. I may remark, that ordinarily no plants are supplied here after May, not merely because the beginning of that month, when the soil is still warm, is the most favorable time for planting, but because also I need the nursery ground for providing a stock for next years supply during the months of June July & August. Of Mediterranean pines, White Mulberries, Arbor Vitae & Cypresses still a fair supply may be transmitted to you, if you will state the precise number for which soil is fully prepared & for which attention (in watering shelter &c) can be provided during the summer

2

A report of the meeting of the Smythesdale Borough Council held on 25 May 1866 (Ballarat star, 28 May 1866, p. 3) states that it was resolved 'That the garden committee prepare a list of the plants and shrubs desired, and forward it to Dr Mueller'. The Council's correspondence with M concerning his supplying plants is also noted in the Council's minute book for 1866, now among the Council's surviving records in the Woady Yaloak Historical Society, Smythesdale, Vic.

The Townclerk

Smythesdale

3

The acting Town Clerk at the time was G. J. Jones.

&c &c &c