From Joseph Hooker   24 November 1869

Nov. 24 /69

Dear Dr Mueller

I have yours of 6/9/69¹ together with Fragmenta for which very many thanks. I very much hope that the Bauhinia & Grevillea seeds will germinate. The Todea flourishes & will be a tremendous affair some 6 months hence.

I should extremely like to get more Tree ferns (not Dicksonia Antarctica)² of which we have lots) in sawdust, with the fronds turned down on to the trunk

You are mistaken in supposing that I do not send duplicate seeds to Foreign Consulates &c &c &c. You have little idea of the time occupied by such distributions here; but the truth is that such things are not cared much about generally, & there are limits to unprofitable i.e. unremunerative exchanges to which I must keep. Time is money here as with you.

I send out all your duplicate seeds, but if I get no thanks nor return I do not see that I am much benefitted; but the contrary; for the same time & trouble spent in sending better things (that people do ask for) would yield us returns.

We have had Todea barbara from S. Africa for ages past — but it does not grow to the size of the Australian, which is a distinguishable variety in species according to some.

I send photographs herewith, the larger are from a Mr King who photographs here & is a collector of Photos — he begs any in return that you may be able to send conveniently.

I have corresponded in vain with Madeira & Teneriffe for seeds for years past. I commissioned Lowe³ & Consuls & others to collect or put me into correspondence. The Orotava Bot. Garden⁴ offers me Geraniums Verbenas, Daturas & such trash, cultivated for the gardens of Canaries, but seems to ignore the fine plants of the Islands. When Bourgeau & [Bolander] were there we secured lots of splendid things.

Ever most siny⁵ Yr

Jos D Hooker

Bauhinia

Datura

Dicksonia Antarctica

Geranium

Grevillea

Todea Barbara

Verbena