Document information

Physical location:

72.11.00

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Scaling, 1872-11. 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/1870-9/1872/72-11-00-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from an advertisement headed 'BITTER WILLOW HEDGES and GAME COVERTS' that appeared in Gardeners' chronicle and agricultural gazette, 4 January 1873, p. 4. The sentence is attributed to 'Baron F. Von Mueller, Government Botanist, Melbourne, Australia '. It appears to be a solicited testimonial, although no solicitation letter has been found; it is dated to November 1872 as the latest likely date that it could have been sent to have been included in this issue.
The advertisement was placed by 'W. SCALING, Basford, Notts.' The items offered for sale were 'Bitter Willow stakes' and Scaling (1871-2). There is a copy of part 1 of Scaling (1871-2) in the library at MEL.
The advertisement was reprinted frequently in 1873, but has not been found in issues of 1872, or in the successor title, Gardeners' chronicle, for 1874 or later. The correspondent is assumed to be William Scaling, but it is possible that M's endorsement was addressed to Simkin, Marshall and Co, the publishers of Scaling's pamphlets.
Mr. Scaling's advice on Willow planting comes with so much force that it is given in few words, and rests upon unrivalled experience.