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84.04.30a

Preferred Citation:

Charles Langtree to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1884-04-30 [84.04.30a]. 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/1880-9/1884/84-04-30a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from Argus, 1 May 1884, p. 5 (reprinted as 'Effect of trees on water', Tasmanian news, 7 May 1884, p. 2). The text is introduced by 'The following letter, which is self-explanatory, has been addressed by Mr C. W. Langtree, acting secretary of Water Supply, to Baron Von Mueller, Government botanist:—'.
The letter is dated by reference to the response, M to C. Langtree, 3 May 1884 (in this edition as 84-05-03a).
Herewith I beg to forward two newspaper extracts—one from The Argus of the 18th April
2
Argus, 18 April 1884, p. 5; the passage quoted is from 'The value of the Eucalyptus', Times (London), 4 March 1884, p. 4. It reports the case of the brick walls of a well being invaded by roots of Eucalyptus trees growing 50 feet away and forming a dense fibrous mat; 'it is thought that one of the causes of the drying up of wells is the insatiable thirst of these vegetable monsters'.
with reference to the power which the eucalyptus tree is alleged to possess of absorbing large quantities of water, and the other from the Federal Standard of the 16th April,
3
Presumably the Federal Standard, Chiltern, Vic. No copy of the issue dated 16 April 1884 has been located.
referring to the tamai caspi , or rain tree, and its reputed power of attracting and condensing the humidity of the atmosphere. I shall be glad if you will favour me with your opinion in respect to the statements made in these extracts, as a knowledge of the true facts so far as the eucalyptus tree is concerned, may be of use in relation to the various dams and weirs now constructed, or in course of construction, in different parts of the colony, under conditions approved by this department. I shall also feel obliged if you will kindly inform me if there are any specimens of the so-called rain tree in this colony, and whether it would thrive in our climate.