Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Results of Eucalyptus cultivation', Indian forester , vol. 19 (1893), p. 343 (B93.09.04).

Sir,

Since the fiftieth year of this century and during several years' field studies before that time, I have exerted myself for the introduction and extensive cultivation of the best species of Eucalypti as adapted for various regions of the globe, not only through elaboration of extensive works but also by distributing select seeds of the various specific trees, as well for industrial, as for sanitary purposes. Late in life, it would be a pleasing satisfaction to me, if I could learn of particular successes anywhere in these rearings, so largely called forth by myself without personal advantages of my own.

As regards Continental India, I am aware that the Eucalypti have become of extraordinary value; also in the Peshawar and Lahore Districts they have proved useful to subdue fevers and to provide timber and fuel; so, it would probably be of great interest and serve further useful purposes, for those living far away, if some detailed information could, in reference to your provinces, be afforded through your excellent periodical, which valuable publication I regularly receive through your generosity. May I also draw your attention on this occasion to the immense successes attained in many tracts of South Africa right to the Transvaal, with two of the principal Australian bushes mentioned in my "Select Plants"

2

The most recent edition was B91.09.01.

as particularly recommendable, namely

Atriplex nummularia

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and A. halimoides, which perhaps are also now gregariously naturalized in the Punjab and Peshawar.

My Iconography of Australian Salsolaceous plants (quarto, 96 plates)

3

B89.13.04, B90.13.14, B91.13.24.

will doubtless be accessible to you. —A rather full account of the pastoral rearing and spreading of the two mentioned Atriplices is given in one of the last numbers of the Agricultural Journal of Cape Town, and by the venerable and erudite Professor McOwen, who alludes to the intelligent and zealous co-operation, so far, of numerous South African Colonists.

4

The issue of the Agricultural journal of the Cape of Good Hope for 18 May 1893 includes (pp. 178-80) an article headed 'Australian Salt Bush' that appears to have been put together by the Government Botanist of the Cape Colony, Peter MacOwan. Most of the article is devoted to an account by E. Garwood Alston of the success that he and his father had had in propagating and distributing seeds of

Atriplex halimoides

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, 'which has proved of such immense value as a fodder-plant in this Colony', and later also

Atriplex nummularia

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, from seed supplied by M to MacOwan. The article also reprints an account of A. nummularia by the NSW Department of Agriculture's botanist, Fred Turner, before ending with the following statement by MacOwan:

It is impossible to close this brief note without calling the attention of Cape agriculturists to the fact that they owe this magnificent addition to the food resources of their driest districts, ultimately, to the wise provision and generous care of Sir Ferdinand von Mueller, the Government Botanist of Victoria, who sent the seeds over here, and repeatedly pressed it upon our attention in the most earnest manner. Long since we owed to him the Eucalyptus gum trees, springing up by thousands where formerly trees were not. Now we are a second time indebted to him for a fodder plant, which is making its way as fast as did the ubiquitous blue-gum. I hope that in remembering Mr. Alston, as he richly deserves, we shall never forget Sir Ferdinand von Mueller.