25/5/65
Dear Sir William.
The large quantity of seeds of hardy shrubs & trees, which you have been so kind to forward from Kew, together with the case of bulbs & cacti, have arrived.1 The contents of the box of cacti, tubers & bulbs was almost entirely spoilt,2 owing to shavings of wood and moss being employed in packing. The moisture of the plants caused the decay of the packing material and with it that of the plants themselfes.
Had charcoal been used for packing the plants would not have decayed, as I have repeatedly found when on my suggestion thus receiving them from Europe. If the seeds are fresh (which in many instances not seems the case) I have no doubt we shall with our excellent arrangements for the purpose be able to raise them. Under any circumstance we hope to have some additions to our collection from this source, for which, I need not say, I shall feel most grateful. The assortment of Crataegus — Rosa — & Coniferae-seeds is particularly valuable.
I am engaged in working up some novelties from Rockingham Bay, among which are several Coccate Myrtaceae [several] species of Callicoma &c.
I am so glad to hear of your continued health & vigor & trust you will enjoy both long & uninterruptedly.
With constant friendly regards your
Ferd. Mueller
Callicoma
Coniferae
Crataegus
Myrtaceae
Rosa
Please cite as “FVM-65-05-25a,” 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 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/65-05-25a