To William Odgers¹    9 September 1869

Melbourne botanic Garden,

9/9/69

Sir

I have the honor of transmitting to you herewith 20lb (twenty pounds) of seeds of Eucalyptus Globulus (the Blue Gumtree), that being the whole quantity at this moment in the market. It has been packed, after careful drying, into a zink-lined case. The price is 18/ pr. lb, which is a rate below the ordinary market-value, and the account is herewith enclosed.² In reference to the seeds of Eucalyptus Sideroxylon (the Iron-bark-tree) I beg to remark, that I have written to a party at Sandhurst,³ who supplied such seeds to me in former years, to learn at what price he could furnish the article now. Should the offer be a fair one, I will, in accordance with the wish of the honor. the Chief Secretary, order at once the quantity needed for the Indian Government.⁴

Annexed I have the honor to transmit a memorandum, showing how the Eucalyptus seeds should be sown and the seedlings be treated &c.

I have the honor to be,

Sir, your very obedient

Ferd. von Mueller⁵

W. H. Odgers Esq &c &c

Under secretary

To raise Eucalyptus-trees, more particularly the Blue-gum-tree, a twofold method can be adopted. The seeds can either be sown in nursery beds or at once on the places, finally destined for the growth of the trees. In the former case the seeds ought most advantageously be sown about 6 months prior to the coolest season, by which time the seedlings will be about one foot high and of the best size for extensive transplanting. Merely the ordinary care of weeding and watering is needed to raise the seeds on the seed beds, but caterpillars are apt to infest the young plants and must be carefully removed.

The seedlings, about one foot high, can be moved either to places, 2 feet deep and 3 feet wide, dug in the ground, or the seedlings may be placed over ploughed ground, if great facility for ploughing exists on the spots intended for the trees. If the locality to be planted should be one much exposed to dry heat or violent storms, it will be found of advantage to shade and shelter the young plants by surrounding them individually with boughs of any kind. The object of planting at the commencement of the cool season is obvious, namely to establish the plants in time to cope with the heat of the dry season. In countries however, in which the temperature will sink to the freezing point, it is advisable to raise the seedlings under shelter, and to transplant them immediately after the cessation of the frosty season. Severe frosts the Blue Gum Eucalyptus will not endure, even when no longer young. Damp tropical heat is also against its proper development. In tracts of country, exposed to the full force of winds it is desirable to plant close belts of the young plants on the weather side for the mutual protection of the trees, when more grown up. In cases, where the Eucalyptus is to be reared for extensive forest-culture, it will be found advisable to plough the area, intended for them and to scatter at the commencement of the cool season the seeds over the ploughed and harrowed surface; but as the seed is so minute, it ought not to be covered up. At the next season or under favorable circumstances earlier, the seedlings standing too close can be thinned out and transplanted to vacant spots. The existence of natural boundaries, such as river-banks, steep rocks, jungle &c will, I need scarcely remark, lessen the expenditure for enclosing the area. Other Australian Eucalypts, the Blackwood-Acacia, several Casuarinae and other quickgrowing useful trees might be sown out with the seeds of the Blue Gum tree, as many kinds are with great facility raised from seeds. Transplantation must be effected under the advantage of moist weather.

The distance, at which the Blue Gum-tree ought to be planted, would vary from 16 to 32 feet. If planted thus more closely, the trees will grow taller with less of lateral branches; if planted thus more distantly, the trees would become less tall and spread more laterally.

In localities of extreme heat the Eucalyptus may be sown along with the seeds of the Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea), in as much as the crop of the latter will shade the young Eucalyptus-seedlings.

Casuarina

Crotalaria juncea

Eucalyptus Globulus

Eucalyptus Sideroxylon