Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M33, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 90.11.05

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Walter Gill, 1890-11-05. 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/1890-6/1890/90-11-05-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

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MS accompanied by an envelope addressed by M: 'On Her Majesty's Service. Walt. Gill Esqr FLS, Conservator of Forests Adelaide' and 'Government Botanist, Melbourne, 5/11/1890'. The front bears the frank stamp of the Chief Secretary's Department, Vic, and a postal stamp: 'MELBOURNE NO 6 90'. The back bears a postal stamp: 'GPO ADELAIDE NO 6 90 SA'.
Melbourne,
5/11/90.
Walt. Gill Esqr, F.L.S.,
Conservator of Forests,
Adelaide.
In answer to your letter of the 31. Oct.,
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Letter not found.
only just received, dear Mr Gill, I beg to give it as my opinion that timber-trees are considered such, as yield wood of considerable dimensions, but it would not be easy, to define the term legally. I should think however, that the
Acacia pycnantha

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is as a tree not of sufficient size, to pass as a real timber tree; but nevertheless it should be protected quite as much as trees of large kinds, affording timber for building purposes, because the wood of this Wattle serves for minor cabinet-makers work, while the bark is one of the most important of all for tanning purposes. If possibly advantage was taken of a clause of any act, which would tend to the destruction of the
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and other kinds of small trees of prominent usefulness, then such act should timely be amended thus far for the conservation also of this kind of vegetation and its proper utilisation.
With regardful remembrance your
Ferd. von Mueller.