Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Euphorbia Drummondi', Pastoral times (Deniliquin, NSW), 17 December 1887, p. 2 (B87.12.07). The text is introduced with the following remarks: ‘Some time ago a drover lost seven or eight sheep on the Deniliquin common, and as he observed that they were attacked after eating a peculiar looking weed he collected some of it. This he showed to Mr. J. Jeremy who forwarded it to Baron von Mueller. In reply he received the following letter:—‘.

The report was reprinted in the Australasian (Melbourne), 31December 1887, p. 1257 (B87.12.04). A brief account, including a summary of M's report, was published in Sydney mail and New South Wales advertiser, 24 December 1887, p.1351.

In reply to your letter of the 13th inst.,

2

Letter not found.

I beg to inform you that the small weed of which you sent a sample, is well-known to be poisonous to pastoral animals, particularly to sheep. Its botanic name is Euphorbia Drummondi. Wherever it copiously occurs the soil should be scarified and sown in Autumn with seeds of the best native grasses and fodder herbs occurring in the vicinity and seeds of British and foreign grasses and fodder plants might also be tried. By such means the euphorbia would become much suppressed.

3

At this point the source text has 'Baron von Mueller then refers to the collection of native seeds as follows:— ' .

Could you kindly ascertain whether any one in your town or your district would be inclined this summer to collect the seeds (well matured) of the best salt bushes, pasture herbs, and grasses for stock, indigenous to your region, and at a moderate price? For such seeds I have a demand and if the prices were not too high and the selection be carefully made, a trade in such native seeds would likely spring up and afford some lucrative employment. —