To James McCulloch   14 March 1866

Melbourne bot. Garden

14/3/66

Sir

In compliance with the request conveyed in your minute of yesterday,1 I have the honor of submitting once more a detailed statement in reference to the expenditure of the botanic Garden and the institutions connected therewith.

The tables of future expenditure, herewith proposed, are elaborated with scrupulous care; they omit whatever is not absolutely necessary for the vigorous performance of the work in all branches of the botanical establishment; but the outlay indicated could not materially be reduced without crippling well organised arrangements or without abandoning some of the duties now devolving on the department or without bringing progressive work of improvement at a standing still.

As it is impossible to judge correctly the requirements of my institution without an intimate knowledge of its workings and the calls made on it, I beg leave to draw your attention primarely to the following points.

1, that the botanical Garden and its connected institutions are second only to those of Kew, compared with any under the British Crown. I do not desire to contend, that not other establishments in Britain are more enlarged in one or the other branch, be it for instance in the technological Museum, or the extent of Conservatories or any other speciality. But I am persuaded, that as a whole in its combined scientific and practical work our garden stands next to Kew and unique in the southern hemisphere. The annual expenditure of Kew Gardens with its museum-branches approaches to fourty thousand pounds Sterling in a country where wages are much lower,2 exclusive of any larger buildings. And if I am rightly informed the structure or conservatory for Australian and South African plants has cost alone £60,000. The expenditure (without taking building votes into consideration) for the British Museum amounts closely to £100,000 pr. year. I instance this with a view of pointing out, that national establishments cannot be maintained truely useful to great interest of science & of the community without considerable sacrifices of means. If the botanical Garden of Melbourne is to be regarded as a national one for Victoria I cannot hope to be able to reduce much the votes hitherto annually granted.

2, The botanic Garden together with the adjoining reserves embraces an area of nearly four hundred acres, if the willow-planted Yarra banks are included3 according to the plans, which I had the honor to submit along with my last annual report, and of which I beg to annex a copy. Willow plantations & other plantings having been carried on outside of the reserves on the Yarra flats, it will be found that about 400 acres of ground are furnished with plants. The details are inserted on the tabulated schedules, which I now beg to present. I do not think, that besides Kew any other Governments Establishment of kindred tendency has to provide for the maintenance of so extensive an area of both garden and park-land.

3, The whole or almost the whole of the extensive area consists of land of great sterility, belonging to the silurian clay slate formation. Could we boast of the magnificent basaltic ridges of the public gardens or park of Geelong, it would not be needful to spend on the planting of trees &c much labor and fund for improvement or the conveyance of soil. It may be remarked, that under such disadvantages the attempts to raise pines and other noble trees on the area under my control (copiously) is to be regretted. In reply I would beg to observe, that unfortunately the garden was placed at the early days of the colony in a position too remote from the city to be accessible to the general public except on Sundays, Holidays and Saturday afternoons. Finding myself when called to the Directorship unable to remedy this evil, I at once attempted to convert the bare hills near the city bridge into Parkland for the healthful enjoyments of the families of the citizens. If in doing so I find the soil less favorable than in many other parts of Victoria, and if thus planting-operations involve a somewhat higher expense than elsewhere, I should still think that these difficulties must not deter me in continuing a work commenced for the public good.

4, The very many thousands of Pines and of other trees planted on the reserves under my surveillance are besides to furnish seeds in masses hereafter for forest culture which ere long will require to be commenced. All this is foreign to a botanic Garden in an ordinary sense of the word, but becomes allow me to observe a necessity in a young country like ours, unless a special department under special expense is at once created for forest culture.

5, Permanent improvements are under progress, and thus in the earlier stages of development of an institution like mine larger outlays are needed, than will afterwards be required. Thus the property of the Government is permanently increased. Much of the iron fencings, basalt-structures, glazed drainpipes, galvanized iron pipes &c &c will be still valuable and serviceable at the end of this century or longer.

6, The Garden and its institutions are not unnecessarily extensive; for in proportion to the larger population of the Victorian Metropolis, when compared with other colonial cities, our institutions have been generally based on a larger foundation. I am also conscious, that the grant for my department is smaller, than that obtained in some of the neighbooring colonies to similar institutions, if the far more extended requirements here are taken into consideration.

7, The scientific branch connected with the botanic garden is in the colonies perfectly unique. I may direct attention to the circumstance, that without any scientific aid whatever and merely manually assisted I have issued nine (9) independent volumes of phytographic writings under this Government, and up to this date furnished so much of the material for the work of the President of the Linnean Society, that 3 volumes (again quite different in tendency to mine) emanated in London, which without my sole aid could have never appeared.4

8, Most valuable property has also accumulated in the botanical museum, the number of arranged & examined specimens there amounting to not much less of three hundred thousand.

9, A valuable library is connected with the Department, much more extensive in its kind, than that in any similar institution in any of the British Colonies.

10, A chemical laboratory is finished, much needed, as pointed out repeatedly in my annual reports, and now by your and the hon. Geo. Verdon's kindness available for operations, in order that the native products of vegetable substances useful in manufactures and arts may be thoroughly tested. I am not aware, that even such an institution exists at Kew; but under ever so great economy its activity will involve some small annual expense, which however will be well spent.

11, Active measures have been taken to form plantations of chinese tea shrubs and other plants of universal use , or to provide extensively plants for such a purpose. In endeavoring to serve thus the community, I have as yet not involved the Government in any expense whatever purposely, but succeeded in doing this by husbanding the comparatively slender means under my control.

12, The Garden is called on to supply plants cuttings and seeds to from two hundred to three hundred public institutions annually. This I regard, supported by Government and Parliament, as a just duty, in as much as the establishment is maintained out of the General revenue, and the country districts cannot profit by direct enjoyment or direct information from it; and thus while contributing to its support they are receiving at least a small share of the direct advantages, which the garden confers. If the vote is to be reduced, these supplies must cease, and I fear discontentedness would arise in the country districts. I find, that even places, where Gardens are supported by Government & Parliament in other parts of Victoria, are claiming large supplies from my institutions, though I notice even recently a public statement, that an other Garden in an other town, supported by Government by a subsidy, offers to distribute plants all over the colony, while the institutions of the very town call here for supplies & still continue to render their applications here.

13, Scarcely a public fete or festival of any kind takes place without a demand for boughs and flowers being made for decoration. These calls are almost daily, often several on one day; & I verily believe, that to respond to these calls, as I am obliged by gazetted regulations, absorbs nearly if not fully the time of one gardener throughout the year.

In having now briefly explained the extremely varied nature of the work of this department and also its very extensive operations, I beg leave, Sir, to draw your friendly attention to the appartition of the hitherto available fund, so as to do justice to each branch of the service here.

The schedules annexed afford a ready insight into the expenditure; they are based on the submitted estimate for 1866 with omission of the salary for the Assistantship, which office is certainly superfluous. In advocating its abolishment I beg to point out, that I am led by no personal considerations. In carrying out your own wishes of retrenchment I feel, that I have to deal with offices and not with persons, that I owe to you to point out what services can best be dispensed, without detriment to the interests of the establishment, for the wellworking of which I am responsible to yourself. Should you however be pleased to decide, that out of consideration to the occupant of the assistant office the appointment should not be cancelled, I would most particularly solicit, that you will kindly restrict the assistantship to the museum branch, and authorize me for reasons explained in a former communication to notify such decision to the occupant of the office, in order that the extent of his aspirations may be duely limited, and such not become injurious to the peace wellworking and interest of the general department. For other but museum-work the labors of the Assistant would be to me not of the slightest value, and only infere with existing excellent organisation.

Other reductions, which might be carried out, though such may be inimical to the interests of the garden, are the following — A reduction of the vote for publishing works, though then no longer any lithograms 5 can be prepared;6 such reduction might be from £100 to £150. If the distribution of plants and cutflowers is discontinued and the abolishment of the regulations in force is rendered publicly known £200-£300 pr annum may be saved. If the rate of remuneration of the Gardeners and labourers is still further lessened though they work 10 hours and not rarely (unpaid) extra hours, though they are not paid under ordinary illnesses, and though only four holidays are kept. Under the 8 hours system the wages could be reduced by one fifth, but then one additional man in addition to every four now engaged must be employed, to have done the present and identical same work.7 perhaps £200 or even £300 may be saved out of the general wages fund, after all not much when probably therewith the employees become dispirited and their zeal proportionately lessened. I beg also to crave the consideration of the Chief Secretary in bringing under his kind notice, that nearly all employed support families, and give their children some education. In separating for the sake of easy aspect the expenditure of the department under three heads, I am particularly anxious to point out, that the rupture of the Department into three distinct branches would be most injurious! The interests are so interwoven, that a clear separation would be absolutely impossible or cause constantly the greatest possible confusion. It would be also altogether erroneous to suppose, that savings by such division would be effected though selfish or uninformed persons have endeavoured to impress that opinion on the Government, and tried to awaken a distrust in my administration. I may mention that scrupulously books & records are kept of all the work here and of all contributions and distributions.8 I have heard it said with deep pain to myself, that while the scientific branch was administered in this establishment satisfactorily, the horticultural interest had suffered. Whenever such statements were made, they arose either out of a want of fair appreciation of the extent of duty and of means at command, or such statements were sent forth without the least acquaintance with the actual work of the horticultural branch. I can assure the hon. the Chief Secretary, that the horticultural division of my establishment received as vivid attention from me during the last nine years as the phytographic ones and that I luke with even some pride on its successes of the wants and shortcomings of the department no one can be better conscious than myself, but to overcome them all at once is an impossibility; consequently one permanent improvement follows the other in that succession, which I deem most judicious. Had an early watersupply been available and were this even extended now, the garden operations would be very much facilitated.9 What I would pray, not for private interest, but in honor to myself and (what is more important) in the interest of the public would be, to be allowed to continue as before in the undivided supremacy under you in the establishment, and that the power of placing every one into that position here for which he is most eminently fitted, may be left to me. I shall not misuse the privilege and carry it out as before in fairness to all parties. No engagement of new talents is needed in any branch.

Respecting the latter part of your minute, whether I intended to avail myself of the leave of absence, which you were pleased to grant and when, I beg leave to state, that for 1866 the time has passed to take my departure for Europe, which should have taken place by the January mail. The complications, mostly unforeseen, which arose at the time were such, that I was reluctantly obliged to abandon the idea for going home this year, but if such facilities exist, that I can leave the department, on which I bestowed so much of my private means, fourteen of my best years and so much care, with an easy and cheerful mind, and you will let me enjoy later also your generous intended concessions, I intend to avail myself of the opportunity of visiting the scientific institutions of Europe some subsequent year.

I have the honor to be,

Sir

your most obedient and humble

Ferd. Mueller

 

The honorable the Chief Secretary

&c &c &c

 

I omitted to mention, that the real expenditure for the garden is £300 less, than indicated in the appended schedules, in as much as the water supply is involving only a nominal vote.

 

Recapitulation of Expenditure10

 

Salary of the Government Botanist & Director of Bot. Gard. & Domains







610

Wages, Government Botanist's Branch




538

4




" Botanic Garden Branch




2806

12




" Domain Branch




655

4

4000

Departmental Contingencies










Travelling Expenses Government Botanist's Branch

20







" " Botanic Garden "

20

40




Transit & Incidental Expenses Government Botanist's "

40







" " " Botanic Garden Branch

80

120




Publication of Works on Australian Plants inclusive of Grant



350




Purchase of plants & seeds Government Botanists Branch

60







" " " Botanic Garden Branch

80







" " " Domain Branch

10

150




Stores Tools &c &c Government Botanists Branch

130







" " Botanic Gardens

200







" " Domain Branch

90

420




Forage Botanic Garden Branch

165







" Domain Branch

55

220






Watersupply Botanic Garden Branch

100







" Domain Branch

200

300










1600



1600








£6210



Deduct for watersupply, as not being actual outlay







300










£5910



 
 

Schedules of proposed Expenditure during 1866

in the botanic Gardens

 

Working hours

Rate of wages

Expenditure for each branch of the Dept

Total expenditure of wages




pr. day

per annum








Government Botanist and Director of the Botanic Gardens & Domains









610


Wages


























Government Botanist's Branch













Traveller and Collector


10/.

156







Stationed at present at Rockingham's Bay. He defrays his own travelling expenses and serves the interests of both the botan. Gardens & the Museum.

Amanuensis for chemical laboratory


8/.

124

16







Engaged for carring out Chemical investigations into the products of vegetable substances. (Oils, resins, naphtha, vinegar acids, sugar, gun charcoal, paper materials, textile fibres, starches &c.) under Dr Muellers immediate Directions.

His services are available on Sundays without extra-remuneration. 11

Custodian of Museum & Attendant

10

7/6

117








Two boys for Museum

10

3/.

93

12








One boy for Laboratory


10

3/.

46

16

538

4






Total Expenditure for Government Botanist's Branch










538

4


Botanic Garden Branch


























Head Gardener

10

12/.

187

4







Exercising general control and aiding actively in the higher garden operations

One Gardener

10

9/.

140

8







In charge of Class ground & Araucaria plantation & of Conservatory, also time keeper.

" "

10

8/6

132

12







In charge of pine nursery & trees for forest culture & of normal collection of fruit Trees &c

" "

10

8/6

132

12







In charge of forcing house and adjoining grounds

" "

10

8/.

124

16







In charge of Palm house & of normal collection of Pines & of the adjoining 12 Garden lawns

" "

10

8/.

124

16







In charge of outdoor nurseries for supply of public institutions

[carried]






842

8






" "

10

8/.

124

16







In charge of Eastern portion of the botan. Gardens

" "

10

8/.

124

16







In charge of Middle portion of botan. Gardens

" "

10

8/.

124

16







In charge of Western portion of botan. Gardens

" "

10

8/.

124

16







In charge of the Seed Department, the collections needed for maintaining interchanges with foreign institutions, to obtain repicrocally seeds of forest trees &c on a large scale

One Assistant Gardener

10

7/6

117







In charge pf Propagating pits

" " "

10

7/6

117







Assisting in general garden work &c

" " "

10

6/.

93

12







In charge of Experimental ground and Yarra Avenues

" " "

10

7/.

109

4







Assisting in general garden work

One Carpenter

10

9/.

140

8







Provides his own tools

One Mechanic

10

7/6

117







For effecting small repairs & general work 13

One Messenger

10

6/.

93

12







Assisting also in copying writing

One Labourer

10

5/6

85

16







Subordinate to the gardeners

" "

10

5/.

78







" "

One Carter

10

7/6

117







Engaged in earthworks and in other strictly Departmental Work

Seven Boys

10

3/

327

12








Stationed under the various gardeners

Painter's, signwriter's, blacksmith's & other works of mechanics



68

16








For work which can not be done by the ordinary employees of the garden and for extralabor







1964

4



















Total for wages for the Botan. Gard.






2806

12

2806

12

The total area of the botanic Garden comprises 37 acr. 1 rd. 11 prch of this there are about 21 acr. 1 rd. 11 prch. under spade cultivation and 15 acr. 2 rds 39 pch. lawns planted with specimen plants. There are about 7 1/5 miles of walks and 14 2/5 miles of edgings and 19 Avenue lines comprising 1230 Avenue trees within the above area.

[carried]









3344

16


Domain branch













Northern Ground Gardener

10

9/.

140

8







The area of the Northern ground is 28acr. 2rds. 39 perch. 66 chains of roads have been formed which are lined with 248 avenue trees. Other lines under process of formation. 14

Pine Park (Governm House Reserve)













Gardener

10

7/.

109

4








One boy

10

3/.

46

16








3 men from the Immigrants Home

8

2/.

93

12







The area of the Pine Park is 176 acres 2 rds. 21 pch, about 2 1/2 miles of walks are formed which are lined with 1656 avenue trees




249

12

249

12





Oak Park (Botan. Gard. Domain)













Gardener

10

7/.

109

4








One boy

10

3/.

46

16

156




The area of the Oak Park is 63 acr. 1rd. 38 pch. It is intersected by about 3 1/8 mile walks which are lined with 1429 Avenue trees.

Carter, employed in the above Domains

10

7/.

109

4


109

4



















Total Domains






655

4


655

4















Total Wages









4000


 

Departmental Contingencies

 


Total for each Branch

Total


Government Botan. Branch











Travelling Expenses

20







Local expenses in Victoria

Transit & Incidental Expenses

40

_

_







Freight for consignments, cartage, packing & also outlays for small repairs &c & gas

Publication of Works on Austral plants, inclusive of lithographic plates

250







If reductions are strongly desired, this sum might be lessened, though it gives occupation to the draftsman & lithographer only during a portion of the year. The outlay is reproductive also in the sale of the works issued and for effecting exchanges for the public City Library and for that of the botan. Garden

Grant towards publication of a Flora of Australia

100







This grant is promised annually to the President of the Linnaean Society, who under Dr Mueller's sole assistance is engaged in editing a series of volumes on Australian plants in London. The Governments of New South Wales Queensland and South Australia contribute also.

Purchase of botanical specimens

60—







For such additions to the Museum collections as can not be obtained through interchanges.

Stores &c. paper for permanent museum collections

40








Millboard for do.

20








Purchase of Chemicals & apparatus

30








Purchase of books & periodicals for Departmental Library

40








Total for Gov. Bot. Branch

600

600

600


Botanic Garden Branch











Watersupply

100







Is not a real expense to Government, though monetarily a charge to the establishment

Purchase of plants and seeds

80







For purchase of such only as can not obtained through interchanges

Transit & Incidental Expenses

80







Freight & charges on consignments of plants, seeds &c &c. Small repairs &c 15

Travelling expenses

20







Local Victorian, for professional Journeys.

Forage

165







For Cart horses and food for water & singing birds &c.

Stores

200







Materials for small repairs, timber, paints, tools, coals for conservatories, flowerpots Drain pipes & tiles and other miscellan. Stores.





645



645


Domain Branch











Watersupply, Pine Park

150







No actual expenditure is incurred for watersupply, it being merely a nominal charge, as the sum charged is only transformed from 1 Department to another

" Oak Park

50








Stores & tools

90








Forage

55







For one Cart horse engaged in earthworks 16

Purchase of grass 17 seeds &c

10







Grass seeds required for Lawns & grass plots, also cloverseed. 18


355

355

355


Total for contingencies







£1600


 
See footnotes M to J. McCulloch, 10 March 1866 (in this edition as 66-03-10a).
in a country where wages are much lower is a marginal addition by M.
if the willow-planted Yarra banks are included is a marginal addition by M.
The first three volumes of Flora australiensis.
Marginal addition by M: 'These lithograms are likely to be quoted in works of science for hundreds of years to come, and will reflect eternally credit on the early Government of Victoria'.
Interleaved at this point are calculations, in table form, in an unknown hand: 'Publishing works, from £100 to £200; Stoppage of distribution of plants, [£]200-300; Reduction in rate of wages, [£]200-300'.
though they work … same work is a marginal addition by M.
though selfish … distributions is a marginal addition by M.
of the wants … much facilitated is a marginal addition by M.
Tables written out by E. Heyne and edited by M.
under Dr Muellers … extra-remuneration added by M.
adjoining inserted by M.
& general work added by M.
Other … formation added by M.
Small repairs &c added by M.
engaged in earthworks added by M.
grass inserted by M.
also cloverseed added by M.

Please cite as “FVM-66-03-14,” 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 March 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/66-03-14