Ferdinand von Mueller

Melbourne,

6/8/74.

Sir

I have the honor to inform you, that in one of the weekly journals very recently

1

In a letter to the editor of the Leader welcoming the publication of the report of the Secretary of the Agricultural Department, 'Cultivator' wrote:

one cannot cannot help wondering how it is that nothing appears from the pen of either the Government Botanist or the Inspector of Forests. Surely the results of the labors of those gentlemen ought to be made known. Can it be that they have not contributed anything towards the progress of the colony that is worthy of record? Or are they ignored on personal or other grounds? One thing is clear, that those who pay them ought to know what equivalent they are receiving for their outlay. It can hardly be considered too much to ask that we should occasionally be made acquainted with the progress of the sciences of botany and vegetable physiology, as well as the classification of the plants of the colony. ( Leader [Melbourne], 1 August 1874, p. 7).

a desire is expressed for a report on the progress of my Departmental labours during the last year. As it has been customary to furnish such reports from time to time to the Ministerial Chief for presenting to Parliament, I have the honor to enquire, whether you deem this a proper time for preparing a report on such of my work as without buildings except the cold store room for plants and with a working vote reduced to £300 for the whole of the services expected by the Colony from my Department could still be carried on.

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See also M to R. Ramsay, August 1874 (in this edition as 74-08-00).

The honorable Rob. Ramsay, M.L.A.

Postmaster General and Acting Chief Secretary, &c. &c.