To Ralph Tate   3 February 1883

3/2/83.

I am delighted, dear Prof. Tate, to hear of your successes in Kangaroo-Island,¹ and it is pleasing to me also, that I urged originally this exploration last year. It is not surprising, that in sheltered vallies the vegetation there should become so grand, as the clime is so mild humid and equable. So it is with all sheltered insular spots. Remember only Arran as far north as Scotland, where many S. Eur. and also some Australian plants grow in the open air. You might mention to our friend, Mr Brown,² that I would recommend, that whatever is not yet sold of the areas of Kang. Isl. ought to be reserved for Forest-Culture, as the natural shore-boundaries will save fencing, and as many trees will grow there readily, which only in few other places of S.A. could be reared to advantage, for instance the N. Zeal. Kauri, the various spruce-pines &c. I advised lately also, that the whole of Fraser's Island in S. Queensland ought to be reserved for forestry, a commencement having been made there very promisingly with planting the more tender Dammara robusta largely. You might also mention to Mr Brown, that I would recommend in the vallies of Kang. Isl. trials with the growth of the Chinese (not the tender Assam) Teabush; indeed Cinchonas could also be grown there, and a multitude of other plants needing a moist clime, free of frost. My work on "select plants" would be a good indicator for that.³

Your notes on Eucalypts & Xanthorrhoea are very interesting. Even of Xanthorrhoea arborea I saw no higher specimens in Queensland. I am glad, that you will write an essay on the Kang. Isl. plants, and that altogether you push on the Flora of S. Austr. so splendidly. By last mail I sent your application-paper to Sir Joseph Hooker⁴ and wrote also about your Candidature to Prof Etheridge.

Many omission, I fear occur yet in my Census;⁵ thus yesterday only I found, that I missed S.A for Peplidium Muelleri, which years ago was got by Mr Ernest Giles between the Finke-River & Lake Eyre. But I will go through all my supplemental collections carefully, when the Census is really out (index still in type) and when some accumulated work shall have been cleared off.

Is Mr Tepper doing anything in the way of botanizing? I have not heard from him since some time. Best thanks for the copy of the new part of the transactions of the R.S.⁶ of South Australia. Mr Giles has collected for me some plants on or about Mt Everard. I hope he will send them soon, as the locality is new. Strange to say, I never have got either from Gosse, Forrest & Giles any plants from the high isolated and extensive Musgrave-ranges,⁷ on which therefore still a splendid bot. harvest remains to be reaped.

Regardfully your

Ferd. von Mueller.

Surely this will not be your last trip to Kangaroo Island

Cinchona

Dammara robusta

Peplidium Muelleri

Xanthorrhoea arborea