To Joseph Hooker¹    20 August 1866

20/8/66

Your two kind notes of the 19 & 30 June, dear Dr Hooker have arrived.² I am collecting more Orchid- and Drosera-tubers for you, but it will be best to allow the plants, when put into earth, to deflorate unmolestedly & to pack up afterwards in dry earth the young tubers. I have grown Cephalotus follicularis for a series of years in a coldhouse left in its original turf under a bellglass. I can send you plants of it.

In the Laboratory I have a young Gentleman,³ who works the details under my general direction. I have no means for special appointments, but am trying to see an independent Professorship of agricultural & technological Chemistry established in connection with a contemplated special department under a Minister for public instruction & agriculture. I am very fond of Chemistry but have of course little time for either it or Medicine.

The Willows & Rubi will be most welcome[.]⁴ I have to aim at the growth of plants, involving little or no trouble afterwards (indeed such as will take care of themselfes) and are at the same time useful to this young country. A fine display of Rubi and Willows will be so nice. The Papyrus seeds are most welcome. Though I have raised some sent by Baron Anca, I require such plants gregariously around my extensive garden lake & the new lakes I formed in the adjoining reserve by daming up the flood waters at a late rise of the Yarra. Iris Pseudacorus, Hottonia, Stratiotes, Sagittaria, Butomus &c would thrive well here in such places I should think. I have only one or two Jalap-plants. We have had hard night-frosts this winter, the effect of which I am studying now on my plants.⁵

I have to send you many things.

Your regardful

Ferd Mueller

Butomus

Cephalotus follicularis

Drosera

Hottonia

Iris Pseudacorus

Papyrus

Rubus

Sagittaria

Stratiotes