29/8/92
You will get next month some more notes on your plants, dear Mr Holtze, as I have
put some ready for marking on. It has been a
sad
year to me through the retrenchments, which caused so much anxieties and loss of
time and extrawork to me; but I speak
privately
as I must be thankful, that the Department did not become abolished altogether. Among
the plants, to be described, one will be named after your Governor.
I still look forward for fruits of the narrow-leaved verbenaceous plant I do not
like to work on imperfect material, and many Port Darwin plants we know only as yet
in flower only. Kindly give me soon your
latest
and
fullest
experiences on the
s there, as I wish to write a third article on the Australian Fan-Palms early for
the "Gardeners-Chronicle".
I like also Notes on the native Bamboos there. Kindly remember, that I am in my 68th
year, and God's will may not allow me to live an other year, to repeat my solicitations.
Does your brother not, like your worthy father
and your self, take an interest in the vegetation near him, though he is a
native of Australia
. What prevents him from gathering in a favorable season like this some few plants
even near his dwelling, as he is almost in a
new region
for collecting, and as it involves neither toil nor much expense to get specimens
for me here.
I think, that I sent your brother seeds of Garden-Vegetables. Would he let me know,
by some few words, which it would not take many minutes to write, whether he wishes
me to send such seeds from time to time freshly.
Always regardfully your
Ferd von Mueller
When you meet Inspector Foelsche, kindly give him my compliments. I shall soon write
to him in answer of a letter, lately received from him,
but have been over powered by local departments engagements.
Regardfully
your
Ferd. von Mueller
Did you get various seeds, lately sent? I had no letter from you for a long time.
Kindly send any by post, as they are ripening in your garden. I shall not forget you,
when I obtain any, fit for
your
purposes. I could use some of
,
a plant raised at Port Darwin from seeds sent by me
When you write to your brother, kindly ask him not to miss minute annuals and floating
or submerged plants. If the
postage
of small parcels is an object, I will gladly refund it, notwithstanding the increased
calls on my own slender monetary resources at this dire time.
