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75.05.03

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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Graham Mitchell, 1875-05-03. 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/1870-9/1875/75-05-03-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

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Letter not found. The text given here is from '
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(Drake Weed)', Chemist and druggist, with Australasian supplement, April 1880, p. 97 (B80.04.02).
The letter is one of a number of items printed as enclosures to a letter from Mitchell to the Editor:
As large quantities of drake are now being disposed of, and also found largely mixed with cereals, I think that publicity should be given to the fact that darnel seed is highly injurious and poisonous to stock. It is high time that distillers and others should be prevented purchasing the same by auction and in open market. The following reports will, no doubt, be interesting to your readers, through whom the public might be informed of the danger of using darnel for feeding purposes. The recent mortality amongst fowls and other animals may, to a certain extent, have been caused by the admixture of this poison in their food.
Melbourne, 3rd May, 1875.
To Graham Mitchell, Esq., Government Veterinary Surgeon.
Sir — In reply to your letter of the 26th April,
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Letter not found.
I have the honour to inform you that the sample of horse-feed submitted to my inspection consists mainly of a mixture of partly-crushed wheat, barley, and oats, but contains also a considerable portion of darnel (seed of
Lolium temulentum

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), a grain well known to be poisonous as well to man as to pastural animals. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Ferd. von Mueller, Government Botanist.