Document information

Physical location:

RB MSS M1, Library, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. 96.10.19

Plant names

Preferred Citation:

Frank Lamson-Scribner to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1896-10-19. 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/1890-6/1896/96-10-19-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

1
Typescript, signed by hand. Found with a specimen of
Atriplex canescens

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(MEL 2329888). MS is accompanied by an envelope addressed to M and marked as being from 'U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Agrostolgy. Seeds of North American Grasses and Forage Plants'.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
October 19, 1896.
Baron Ferd. von Mueller,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Dear Sir:
I send you by mail today a small sample of seed of one of our native forage plants,
Atriplex canescens

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James, locally known as Shad Scale, White Sage, or Sweet Sage. It was formerly one of the chief reliances of the cattle men on the arid plains from western Texas to Arizona, but has now become almost extinct, occurring only on steep cliffs and in protected situations where cattle and sheep can not reach it. As soon as we can procure the seeds in larger quantities, the Department will send enough to make a more thorough trial.
Respectfully,
F. Lamson-Scribner
Agrostologist.