Document information

Physical location:

89.09.00b

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to W. Groundwater Fraser, 1889-09 [89.09.00b]. 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/1880-9/1889/89-09-00b-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here (B89.10.04) is from a letter by W. Groundwater Fraser, dated 1 October 1889 to the Editor, Mildura cultivator, 3 October 1889, p. 8, under the headline 'Baron von Mueller and the indigenous plants of the District—Mildura flora'. The extract is introduced by 'Can you find a corner for the gist of a communication just received from Baron von Mueller in which he says:'
Following the quotation Fraser wrote 'The Baron goes on to say that he visited the region in 1854, but as it was a dry season he had no opportunity of examining the spring vegetation of the district.'
Fraser concludes 'May I, Mr. Editor, solicit your aid in prevailing upon some of your readers to gather specimens and leave them with you that we may select from them and forward them to the worthy Baron.'
On the Children's Page, p. 9, the newspaper gave quite detailed instructions about the places where plants should be sought and how they could be collected.
This particularly moist season should not be lost for advancing our knowledge of Victorian Flora. May I then draw your attention to the desirability of getting secured particularly the minute plants of all kinds which are now developed, but will shrivel up in a few weeks hence. Perhaps some observant youths could be prevailed on to put a specimen of any sort of small plants in an envelope for me. Specimens with seeds on them will be as valuable as any in flower.