Melbourne
5./7./77.
The honorable Graham Berry, M.L.A.,
Chief Secretary
Sir
I have the honor to submit herewith a proof-copy of the school book,2 written by me on the request of your honorable predecessor. I have adhered strictly to the instructions given me, that it should not extend to about 150 pages, that it should be a book on Gumtrees, Wattles &c, and that it should contain the least possible of scientific terms. I have explained, how this little work could best be used in the preface.
I have now the honor to suggest, that one or two copies may be sent to each state-school for the use of the teacher, the present edition being 3000 copies. Should after trial this book prove to answer the required purposes, then a larger edition can be brought out, for which the woodblocks remain available.
I beg further to suggest, that the honorable the Minister of education may be asked, if it meets with your approval, whether also a copy of my "select plants"3 for references may be placed into the Library of each state-school. If so, then one copy for each school can be supplied from my Department to the Education Office4
I have the honor to be,
Sir, your obed. servant
Ferd. von Mueller.5
On 11 July the Under Secretary, W. Odgers, minuted: 'By direction to the Hon: the Minister of Public Instruction'. On 8 August 1877 he forwarded the file to that Minister for his information. The following year, on 13 March 1878, it was 'Returned to the Under Secretary at his request.' The file is annotated: 'Apprd GB'.
B77.08.01.
B76.12.04.
MS annotation: '1 [over 2] copies for each school 1600 in all'.
See also W. Odgers to M, 11 July 1877.
Please cite as “FVM-77-07-05,” 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