Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne bot Garden,

27/2/73

Sir

Altho' already orally you are aware and have kindly approved of an application of the Dutch Consul in Melbourne for some fern-trees for his Sovereign, I have now the honor of submitting the Consul's formal application and also my own views thereon, awaiting further instructions.

1

The original request was D. Ploos van Amstel to M, 18 December 1872; the formal letter is D. Ploos van Amstel to M, 28 February 1873.

1, In my opinion it would be desirable to send two Alsophilas or slender ferntrees, so as to double the chances of the success of the transit, this kind of ferntrees (specially mentioned) not travelling long distances over sea so well as the stout tree ferns of our ranges (Dicksonia antarctica)

2, I beg to submit for your favorable consideration, whether on this occasion also 2 Dicksonias and 2 of the dwarf colossal Todea ferns of our vallies should be transmitted simultaneously.

3, I would respectfully advise that the largest specimens fairly removable should be chosen, either at Dandenong or Mount Macedon or Fernshaw. I believe that the cheapest way to get the largest movable specimens of these treeferns would be from a back gully in Dandenong. It is however possible that the Todeas can be obtained of larger size on Mount Macedon than at Dandenong. Perhaps the first locality, where my experience is greatest, might be first tried. Altho' I have traversed the Fernshaw ranges in 1855 and 1858, my recent experiences there are limited. I could however proceed thither and judge for myself, particularly as I wished since some time to institute there some scientific investigations, if you will kindly allow me to be two or three days absent when my excellent assistant, Mr Luehmann, could remain in charge of my position, he being fully initiated in all the duties of the Department.

4, I would further submit that the sending should be a donation by yourself on behalf of the Victorian Government, as the Dutch scientific institutions have proved most liberal towards my Department, particularly the botanic Gardens of Utrecht and Leyden, from whence large sendings of Museum plants and works on plants of great value were obtained. The expenses of procuring the ferns could be charged to the vote of purchase of plants of my Department, and the expenses for packing &c to the incidental vote, unless you desire to provide special means.

5, Is it your wish, that the Dutch Consul pays the transit expenses to London and Amsterdam or is it to be met out of the transit vote of the Stores Department under the hon. the treasurer.

6, May I ask, that a letter from yourself may be sent to the Consul in reference to your donation.

In conclusion I beg to add, that this is the first instance (in my many years official position,) a Sovereign having condescended to ask any kind of commission from me, and that I am not a dignitary of the Court of Holland. In one instance however (many years after my being honored by the French Emperor) I was asked by the Minister of foreign affairs to provide some Australian tree-seeds for test culture in Algeria. I sent some samples on my private expense, and this led to subsequent export purchases of such seeds by the French Consulate of our city to an extent already of about £1700.- .-.

An order from yourself or the assistant Commissioner would be required, authorizing the removal of these ferns from crownlands.

2

On 3 March 1873, Casey minuted: 'Mr Hodgkinson will issue necessary authy to get ferns from the State Forests. The recommendation of the Govt Botanist approved. Let a letter be written to the Consul saying the Ferns will be presented to His Majesty by the Government of Victoria'. Hodgkinson added: 'Bailiff of Crown Lands & Constables are hereby informed that men employed by Baron Von Mueller have authority to procure for the Govt of the Netherlands from ranges and gullies, in the vicinity of Fernshaw the following fern trees

Two Alsophylla

Two Dicksonia antarctica

Two Todea[.]

The honorable J. J. Casey, Minister of the Lands Department.