Ferdinand von Mueller

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Letter not found. MS is a transcription by Daley in his draft biography of M.

Silverton N.S.W.

27th Feb 1886

My dear Uncle,

You will perhaps be surprised to hear that I am now in Silverton, which is situated in the Southern part of the Barrier ranges N.S.W. I have now been here about one month & from what I have seen of the country I believe it to be very rich in minerals and destined to become one of the greatest mining fields in the world. The greatest drawback here is the scarcity of water, but this will in time be overcome by the excavation of tanks and formation of dams to retain the water. Timber is also very scarce, the only trees of any size being a few Eucalypts growing at the side of dry creeks or water chanels. These trees the Government are very wisely protecting by imposing heavy fines on anyone cutting or destroying them. I think the Government would be wiser still if they spent a little money in planting and raising trees. Forest trees in such a country would be of inestimable value in the future.

I have not yet had time or opportunity to go any distance into the country, but I have already collected & dried some plants, which I will send to you as soon as I can add a few more to make a parcel worth sending.

I have little doubt that all the plants here are well known to you, but there may possibly be something new or new to this district.

The climate here is very dry and seems to agree with me very well, but the country itself is very disagreeable to live in. We are in an almost perpetual state of dust. I miss the fine trees vegetation we have about Mt Gambier & Millicent

2

SA.

very much. There is little variety here in the vegetation it being principally salt-bush and Blue bush with a few shrubs scattered between. The shrubs are all of a dismal hue and give no relief to the tired eye. Some of the hills in the distance afford a good view but without variety, every hill being very like its neighbour.

I hope my dear uncle that you are now enjoying better health than when I heard from you last, and that I shall soon have a letter from you again. In the meantime I will collect all the plants I can.