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Physical location:

95.04.24

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to John Quick, 1895-04-24. 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/1890-6/1895/95-04-24-final.odt>, accessed June 10, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Development of the Sericulture Industry. The proposed public meeting', Bendigo advertiser, 27 April 1895, p. 4 (B95.04.08). It was introduced by 'The following letter was received yesterday from Baron Von Mueller, the Government botanist, by Dr. Quick, in reference to the above movement:—'.
South Yarra, 24th April, 1895.
In reply to the questions put through your letter dated 20th April,
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Letter not found.
I beg to state (1) The morus alba adapts itself to most kinds of soil, but a friable loam is the best for the culture of the plants and for the nutriment of the worms; Stagnant moisture and pure sand must of course be avoided. (2) Flat ground is suitable if drained. Gentle slopes are particularly eligible, more especially so if sheltered against the full force of wind. (3) Seedlings are to be planted at a depth at which their radical portion will be fairly covered. The same remarks applies to rooted cuttings. Ordinary cuttings are put in similarly to those of the vine and strike roots easily during the cool season. (4) Cultivation the same as the general one for orchards. (5) For standard plants about 200 might be put on an acre so as to allow the plants to grow into small trees. Many more can be planted on an acre if the bushes are intended to be cut down annually for easier access to the leaves. Where space must be economised the morus alba can be grown as a hedge plant as it stands clipping well and grows fast. As regards other suggestions desired by you, I would mention that the rearing of the siik worms at any estate should be done by its own labor and working power, otherwise this industry may not prove remunerative. The cocoons could most advantageously be turned to account by shipping them for export in a crude state. In my inexpensive work on select plants for industrial culture, obtainable at the Government Printing Office,
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B91.09.01 was the current edition.
I have offered various remarks on the white mulberry tree and its utilisation also.—
Yours, etc.
Baron Von Mueller.
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The news item concluded:
The mayor (Cr. Heinz) informed the council yesterday that he had received a requisition signed by a large number of leading citizens, asking him to call a meeting with a view to develop the silk-producing industry. He was desirous of selecting a suitable night either during the coming week or the week after, and he trusted the councillors would render all the assistance in their power to the movement. We are informed that it is the intention of the mayor to invite the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. J. W. Taverner) to be present at the meeting.