Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS written by Carl Wilhelmi with the signature and postscript by M.

Botan. Garden 28 November 1867

Right Worshipful Sir

Allow me to draw your attention to the fact that the cows depasturing in the Reserves on the North side of the Yarra between Princes bridge and Punt Road Richmond have already destroyed a great many of the willowtrees planted by me on the banks of the River. If proper protection had been afforded to the localities referred to by keeping out cattle and other stock a continuous row of these fine trees would already now adorn the riversides, as two years ago already a plantation of them was formed there, the whole however was unfortunately destroyed by the cattle, goats &c admitted to these Reserves, and the same fate seems to await the large number of trees planted again during the past season unless immediate steps are taken for removing all grazing stock out of the Yarra Park and the adjoining Reserves between the City Bridge and Joliemont. No apprehensions need be entertained about too rank a growth of grass and consequent danger of fire if the former is not kept down by grazing, as on the basaltic formation the herbage will never be high.

2

not be so high amended by M to never be high.

Being well aware that you and the other members of the City Council are anxious of doing whatever lays in their power for carrying out improvements and ornamentating the Reserves & Municipal lands

3

& Municipal lands interlined by M.

under your control I venture to suggest, that all cattle &c now grazing there be forthwith removed as the small revenue arising from grazing fees can scarcely be considered when permanent improvements are at stake.

4

M to E. FitGibbon, 30 November 1867, asks for his help as Town Clerk to encourage the Council to accede to the suggestions in this letter. See also E. FitzGibbon to M, 11 January 1868, and M to W. Hyndman, 31 January 1868.

His Worship the Mayor of Melbourne

I shall be happy to send a number of treeguards to the Yarra banks and commence other improvements, as soon as the removal of the pasture animals renders such a task not longer hopeless