Melbourne Botanic Garden
22nd October 1870
Sir
In reply to the memorandum No 29501 just received I have the honor to inform you:
1, that all the work of a botanic garden must be scientific, and that although it may appear at first sight, that a scientific and practical division can be made, such is not possible in a department like mine, where all the services are closely interwoven, and this at reflection must be clear to every one, who can form a real insight into the nature of the service; even the cultures must be scientific.
2, the following gardeners inhabit brick cottages:
1. D. Coller, in charge of central nursery of select plants and forcing pits; time of service 13 years.
2. J. Watters, in charge of green-house and class-ground, also time keeper, time of service 17 years.
There are besides located:
S. Cottrell in a small iron cottage, who is in charge of the aviary, waterbirds, gates etc.
H. Moran, who partly occupies the wooden store house and who is in charge of the select tree nursery, also at nights and Sundays in charge of house for Victoria waterlily, likewise of select industrial and other plants.
C. French,2 label painter, occupies a small wood building in the Domain.
Thos. Gulliver occupies a wood cottage in Govt. House Reserve, he being in charge of that ground.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
your very obedient servant
Ferd. von Mueller
Director Botanic Garden
Please cite as “FVM-70-10-22a,” 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