Sir, — In answer to an inquiry contained in The Argus of this date,2 I beg to mention that the Alantus glandulosa,3 which furnishes food to a new and hardy kind of silkworm, has been extensively distributed from this garden during the last season, and that plants of this valuable tree are again available this year.
Since the plant may be readily multiplied by division of the roots, no difficulty exists of rendering soon on any estate an ample supply of the tree available for the rearing of its peculiar bombyx.
Most respectfully yours,
FERD. MUELLER.
Melbourne Botanic and Zoological Gardens,
April 24.
Alantus glandulosa
Letter not found. For the text given here, see 'Silkworms', Argus, 26 April 1861, p. 5 (B61.04.05). The letter was reprinted in the Star (Ballarat), 27 April 1861, p. 2 (B61.04.10).
See Argus, 24 April 1861, p. 7, for a letter signed 'A Constant Reader', of Geelong, inquiring as to whether Ailanthus glandulosus had yet been brought to the colony.
Ailanthus glandulosa?
Please cite as “FVM-61-04-24,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on