To Alfred Howitt1    11 December 1861

11/12/61

My dear Sir

I have much pleasure in sending the meat bisquits & the seeds of useful plants intended for the expedition2 and of which Dr Murray will take charge.

Regardfully

yours

Ferd. Mueller.

 

List of seeds forwarded to Mr Howitt.3

Sorghum sacharatum. excellent quickly growing grass affording abundance of food to horses & cattle.

Sorghum nigrum similar to the above but the stalks do not contain so much sacharine matter. The seeds of both kinds are very nutritious. To be sown if possible on a rich soil.

Rumex vesicarius an annual quickly growing antiscorbutic source4 plant, the leaves of which serve as spinach. Does very well on sandy soil.

Bromus unioloides quickly growing grass, suitable for any kind of soil

Maize to be sown on tolerably fertile ground; leaves & stalks furnish good horsefeed, whilst the cob's in a green state are excellent eating

Pumpkin,

Gourd

Piemelon

Rockmelon's 2 sorts

to be sown on rich land which should not be too dry

Tomato seeds &c will be sent by Mr Rule. White Clover seeds are already supplied. Dates Dr Murray I think has purchased. A large supply of seeds seems to be still at the Darling unused.

Ferd Mueller

11/12/61.

Bromus unioloides

Rumex vesicarius

Sorghum nigrum

Sorghum sacharatum

 
1
MS black edged, M's sister Bertha Doughty died 7 September 1861. Annotated: ‘Ferdd. Mueller Botanic Garden 11th Decr 1861 | Collection of Seeds.’
2
Burke & Wills search expedition.
3
The list is on a separate page in an unknown hand; the final paragraph has been added by M.
4
antiscorbutic source insertion by M.

Please cite as “FVM-61-12-11,” 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 26 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/61-12-11