Melbourne botanic Garden,
9/9/69
Sir
I have the honor of transmitting to you herewith 20lb (twenty pounds) of seeds of
(the Blue Gumtree), that being the whole quantity at this moment in the market. It
has been packed, after careful drying, into a zink-lined case. The price is 18/ pr.
lb, which is a rate below the ordinary market-value, and the account is herewith enclosed.
In reference to the seeds of
(the Iron-bark-tree) I beg to remark, that I have written to a party at Sandhurst,
who supplied such seeds to me in former years, to learn at what price he could furnish
the article now. Should the offer be a fair one, I will, in accordance with the wish
of the honor. the Chief Secretary, order at once the quantity needed for the Indian
Government.
Annexed I have the honor to transmit a memorandum, showing how the Eucalyptus seeds
should be sown and the seedlings be treated &c.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your very obedient
Ferd. von Mueller
W. H. Odgers Esq &c &c
Under secretary
To raise Eucalyptus-trees, more particularly the Blue-gum-tree, a twofold method can
be adopted. The seeds can either be sown in nursery beds or at once on the places,
finally destined for the growth of the trees. In the former case the seeds ought most
advantageously be sown about 6 months prior to the coolest season, by which time the
seedlings will be about one foot high and of the best size for extensive transplanting.
Merely the ordinary care of weeding and watering is needed to raise the seeds on the
seed beds, but caterpillars are apt to infest the young plants and must be carefully
removed.
The seedlings, about one foot high, can be moved either to places, 2 feet deep and
3 feet wide, dug in the ground, or the seedlings may be placed over ploughed ground,
if great facility for ploughing exists on the spots intended for the trees. If the
locality to be planted should be one much exposed to dry heat or violent storms, it
will be found of advantage to shade and shelter the young plants by surrounding them
individually with boughs of any kind. The object of planting at the commencement of
the cool season is obvious, namely to establish the plants in time to cope with the
heat of the dry season. In countries however, in which the temperature will sink to
the freezing point, it is advisable to raise the seedlings under shelter, and to transplant
them immediately after the cessation of the frosty season. Severe frosts the Blue
Gum Eucalyptus will not endure, even when no longer young. Damp tropical heat is also
against its proper development. In tracts of country, exposed to the full force of
winds it is desirable to plant close belts of the young plants on the weather side
for the mutual protection of the trees, when more grown up. In cases, where the Eucalyptus
is to be reared for extensive forest-culture, it will be found advisable to plough
the area, intended for them and to scatter at the commencement of the cool season
the seeds over the ploughed and harrowed surface; but as the seed is so minute, it
ought not to be covered up. At the next season or under favorable circumstances earlier,
the seedlings standing too close can be thinned out and transplanted to vacant spots.
The existence of natural boundaries, such as river-banks, steep rocks, jungle &c will,
I need scarcely remark, lessen the expenditure for enclosing the area. Other Australian
Eucalypts, the Blackwood-Acacia, several
e and other quickgrowing useful trees might be sown out with the seeds of the Blue
Gum tree, as many kinds are with great facility raised from seeds. Transplantation
must be effected under the advantage of moist weather.
The distance, at which the Blue Gum-tree ought to be planted, would vary from 16 to
32 feet. If planted thus more closely, the trees will grow taller with less of lateral
branches; if planted thus more distantly, the trees would become less tall and spread
more laterally.
In localities of extreme heat the Eucalyptus may be sown along with the seeds of the
Sunn Hemp (
), in as much as the crop of the latter will shade the young Eucalyptus-seedlings.
