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Physical location:

G75/11444, unit 880, VPRS 3991/P inward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria. 75.09.29

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Odgers, 1875-09-29. 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/1870-9/1875/75-09-29-final.odt>, accessed June 5, 2026

Melbourne
29/9/75.
W. H. Odgers Esqr, &c
Undersecretary.
Sir.
In accordance with the request of the honorable Grah. Berry, the Chief Secretary, as made at the interview this day, I have the honor to submit my suggestions in reference to the importation of some seeds through the office of the Agent General for the driftsands between Warnambool
1
Warrnambool, Vic.
and Belfast.
2
Now Port Fairy, Vic. For earlier advice to government on this matter, see M to R. Ramsay, 28 June 1875.
The two principal grasses, used in Britain, Germany, Scandinavia and France for arresting the influx of sand are
1, the Sea Lyme-grass (
Elymus arenarius

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) and
2, the Moram
3
Marrum?
or Bent Grass (Psamma arenaria).
4
I have the honor ... (Psamma arenaria). marked by a line in margin and annotated: 'Done. Agent Genl written to accordingly'.
Of these about 10lb would be required for sowing (between rows of turf) on an acre; and as finally the sand for many miles is to be sown or with seedlings to be planted, I would advise, that for a commencement not less than 100lb of each of these two kinds should be ordered, especially as these seeds are not expensive. The seed merchant will have to be requested, to provide seeds quite fresh of this autumns gathering, also to be sure to have the seeds carefully and gently dried before packing, and to transmit them in strong well dried casks, which again will have to be placed on board at a dry but not heated place.
I beg further to suggest, that at least a bushel of seeds of the two best Sand-Lupins of shrubby growth should be procured through the Agent General in London from some reliable source, so as to secure well matured and fresh seeds; the two best kinds being
Lupinus arborens

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and
Lupinus albiflorus

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, for both of which probably will have to be sent from London to the United States.
5
not less than 100lbs ...United States marked by a line in margin and annotated: 'Agent General written to accordingly'.
As however the seeds of many of our own coast-plants should be used also in large quantity to be scattered over the enormous tract of the denuded sand to be coped with, I would further suggest, that out of some available vote or by special provision a sum not less than £50,- .- should be provided, in order that the seeds of the Sand Wattle, the Sand
Leptospermum

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, Sand
Casuarina

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and other thus far important plants may become collected under my direction copiously during the coming summer, so as to be available also in the autumn, when the seeds to be ordered from London will have arrived for immediate use then. Timely provision for the extensive labor thus arising, for subsequent surveillance &c will also have to be provided, if this experiment is to prove one of success.
6
When the seeds arrived, half were sent to the Town Clerks of each of Belfast and Warrnambool, with the advice that the Chief Secretary desired
that the seeds should be considered to belong in equal proportions to the Boroughs of Warrnambool and Belfast, and in presenting them on behalf of the Government he hopes the two bodies will cooperate in order to have it determined by practical experiment made under favorable conditions whether large masses of moving sand can be rendered stationary by the cultivation of properly selected plants and human skill economically applied. He will be glad to hear the issue of this experiment at a future date. I may add that the Government Botanist has been requested to give the Councils the benefit of his advice should they feel desirous of consulting him on any point.
The Under Secretary, W. Odgers, wrote to the two Town Clerks 0n 12 July 1876 imparting this advice; see unit 42, VPRS 1187/P outward registered correspondence, VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department, Public Record Office, Victoria, No. 2172, pp. 1213-4 (Belfast) and No. 2173, pp. 1215-6 (Warrnambool).
Odgers also informed M on 13 July: 'The Government Botanist will oblige by giving any assistance he can to the Borough Councils should they apply to him. The seeds have been sent to them.' M replied on 14 July: 'Request will be attended to should occasion arise'. M obtained some of the seeds from Warrnambool (M to H. Read, July 1876 (in this edition as 76-07-00b), and H. Read to M, 3 August 1876) and suggested to the Chief Secretary that they also be tried at Sandridge (now Port Melbourne) (M to J. MacPherson, 7 August 1876).
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your obedient
Ferd. von Mueller.