Ferdinand von Mueller

1

MS written by G. Luehmann and signed by M.

Melbourne, 15th March 1878

Sir

In compliance with the request, conveyed by your letter of yesterday,

2

See W. Odgers to M, 14 March 1878 .

I have the honor to submit brief answers to the questions, propounded on behalf of the Société d'Agriculture of Algiers by the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the colonies, in reference to Australian timber.

3

Letter not found, but the file includes a 2½ page document, 'Questions proposed by the Society of Agriculture of Algiers relative to Australian Trees'. Under the headings 'Eucalyptus Globulus', 'Eucalyptus Resinifera, or Red Gum', 'Eucalyptus in general', 'Acacias (Wattles), &c.' and 'General questions', the Society asked about the cultivation, hardiness and commercial and industrial uses of the trees. A further request, from the French Consul, was received and transmitted to M; see M to G. Berry, 7 April 1878. A copy also seems to have been forwarded to M by the [Victorian] National Agricultural Society; see Weekly times (Melbourne), 16 February 1878, p. 7. See also M to E. Ramsay, 22 May 1878.

As the majority of these questions can be answered by my work on "Select Plants",

4

B76.12.04.

I have quoted the pages of that publication in my replies, thus obviating the extension of these answers to an undue length. A copy of the work is transmitted herewith. Should however the Algerian Society desire still further special information in addition to that now afforded — so many of the questions now submitted being in general terms — then I will be ready to supplement these notes by answers to any subsequent direct questions.

Herewith I also beg to forward a copy of the hitherto issued plates of the Eucalyptus Atlas,

5

B79.13.11 etc.

which will aid the Algerian Society in identifying the species under cultivation there.

The Honorable Graham Berry, M.L.A.

Chief Secretary