Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1,Library, Royal Botanic GardensMelbourne. 72.12.18

Preferred Citation:

J. H. Ploos van Amstel to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1872-12-18. 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/1870-9/1872/72-12-18-final.odt>, accessed June 9, 2026

Amsterdam 18 Decb 1872
My dear Dr von Müller
His Majesty the King of the Netherlands
1
Willem III.
has expressed his desire to obtain a few specimens of the
Alsofella's
2
Alsophila?
or
Australian ferntree
The Almanac hortocole says — le bon jardinier
3
Probably Le bon jardinier: Almanach horticole (Paris). The first part of the quoted text is in Ardoin (1880), p. 53, under headword 'Alsophile'. A version including the last sentence has not been found.
—
Très grande fougère arborescente de l'Australie et de l'ile van Diemen s'élèvant à 10 ou 12 mêtres, dont le tronc robuste et quelquefois de 1 mêtre de diametre se termine par une longue touffe de fronds decoupées dont l'ensemble forme une couronne étalée de 15 à 17 mêtres de tour. On n'en possède en Europe que de faibles echantillons, tous apportés directement des lieux de provenance."
4
'Very large arborescent fern of Australia and Van Diemen's island growing to 10 or 12 metres, the trunk of which, robust and sometimes 1 metre in diameter, terminates in a long tuft of separated fronds the whole of which forms a spread crown of 15 to 17 metres around. There are only poor specimens in Europe, all carried directly from their places of origin.'
Will you kindly grant me your assistance in obtaining the desired plants and your valuable advice respecting the best way of shipping them home. —
I fear there will be many difficulties in the way, as this plant requires much water and shade, however His Majesty is prepared to go to any expense. H. M. desire is to have the best specimen of this tree in Europe in H. M. gardens !
I told His Majesty that I should address myself to you, who already had executed so many commissions for H. M. and H. M. desired me to express you his thanks for your courtesy and to tell you that the seeds have done exceedingly well ! And so they have done; the gum and wattle tree especially.
My brother Daniel will tell you more about H. M. request, and arrange with you the various matters. —
Hoping you will kindly pardon my bold request and accept my sincere thanks for your well known courtesy
I remain
dear Sir
Your's most sincerely
J. H. Ploos van Amstel
Alsofella