To William Nicholson¹    1 August 1860

Melbourne botanic & Zoologic Garden

1 August 1860.

Sir

I have the honor of submitting for your information a short outline of the work and proceedings in this establishment during the month of July.

Two additional sheets of letterpress and two plates have been prepared for the flora of Victoria.² Extensive sowings of seeds and plantings of cuttings and seedlings have been effected in our nurseries to provide the requisite supply of plants for distribution next year. New frames for raising seeds are under preparation. Trees and shrubs have been planted in the borders of the ground on both sides of the river. The undulations in the lawns of the northern ground have been partially filled up. Extensive lines of the Chamomile edgings have been repaired. The pruning of plants and the digging of the boarders has been for the greater part completed, so that the neat appearance of the ground combined with the fresh verdure of the plants and the profuse expansion of the spring flowers particularly of the Acaciae give to the gardens a most cheerful appearance.

The iron fence, enclosing an additional piece of ground of about 3 acres at the western ridge of the reserve, is nearly completed and a selection of standard varieties of fruit trees, mainly a donation of Messrs Seidel of Geelong, and vines has been planted on this spot, where they will be correctly named for information of those visitors, anxious to ascertain the relative value of the various varieties of orchard plants near Melbourne.

A potting shade and a brush-shed for hardening off seedlings are erected. Some valuable seeds and plants have been received, amongst others from the Rev. Jam. Smith of Delhi a large lot of Deodora seeds and from Mr Geo. Elliott a copious quantity of seeds of a superior North American Bramble. The Island in the northern lagoon has been raised to above the marks of the highest floods by piling in picturesque manner basalt bolders and logs together, whereby also breeding places are aforded to the white swans and other waterbirds. Altho' late in the season yet many applications for plants for public institutions have been satisfied.

Some pair of the singing birds have been supplied to Gentlemen, who have constructed aviaries for their acception, amongst others to Mr Rogers of Western port³ to be liberated on Churchhill and Sandstone Island, where also 2 pair of pheasants have been set free.⁴ Several donations of smaller animals have been received for our menagerie.

A letter from the Burgomaster of Cologne⁵ informes us, that from the zoologic Garden of Cologne hares, rabbits, remarkable fowl, doves and water birds will be sent in interchange for two black swans forwarded tither⁶ and for future sendings expected from me. Mr Edward Wilson promises to send starlings, blackbirds and nightingales. An Ostrich shipped for us from Cape town died soon after leaving there.

It having suggested itself to some leading Gentleman of the community, that the animals of our establishment might advantageously be removed to the Royal Park, I beg leave to bring under your Honors consideration, that such a plan could not be effected without an expenditure of several thousand pounds Sterling, in as much as only close fences seven feet high will render any place secure for deer, and as much stabling and other accommodation would have to be provided, as now existing in our establishment but not readily removable. Irrespective of this expenditure, a permanent out-lay must occur for a salaried special officer capable of administrating a Zoologic Garden, whilst as long as the botanic & zoologic Garden remain combined no expense occurs for the administration of the former, since I shall be happy to continue the management as a honorary officer. I beg further leave to state, that since accommodation was furnished to our animals they continued in good health and that I regard the ground under my control fully as solubrious for the animals than that of the Royal Park.

It appears also that many of the Gentlemen of the zoological Committee are inclined to recommend that the Menageries are kept at this ground, and I would beg therefore to solicit, that your Honor will be pleased to allow the animals to remain here at least until the end of the year, when Mr Edward Wilson will have returned to these shores, as it appears important, — that the latest experience gained by that Gentleman in reference to the consititution of similar establishments might be consulted, before any great alterations are made in this department⁷

Should your Honor command the transfer of the zoological department, I would still solicit that the northern ground may remain attached to this establishment, in order that I may continue my experiments on the growth of the plants there in basaltic soil, compared with the vegetation of identical species on the southern side of the Yarra, where within this establishment, only Silurian rocks exist.

I have the honor to be

Sir

your most obedient & humble servant

Ferd. Mueller.

The Honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c⁸

Acacia