27th May [188]41
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that some time since the Trustees requested the Agent General to procure for them a quantity of esparto grass seed. This the Agent General has, with considerable difficulty succeeded in obtaining and has forwarded samples of the seed to this Institution.2
The Trustees, being desirous of making a trial of the seeds, will feel obliged if you will kindly aid them with your advice in the matter, and favor them with information as to sowing the seeds.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Alex Stewart
for Secretary3
Baron von Mueller
CMG &c. &c
Government Botanist
editorial addition.
The Trustees initially wrote to Victoria's Agent-General, Robert Smith, on 3 August 1882. On receipt of the despatch, Smith sought advice from William Thiselton-Dyer, on whose recommendation he contacted the British Consul General at Algiers, R. L. Playfair. Playfair in turn contacted the Conservator of Forests in Algeria who informed him that the seed could not be obtained at that time of year. Playfair, Smith informed the Trustees, had undertaken to obtain a supply of seed the next season. (R. Smith to G. Verdon, 12 January 1883; Y83/18271, unit 1388, VPRS 3991 inwards registered correspondence, VA 860 Chief Secretary's Office, Public Record Office, Victoria).
See M to A. Stewart, 28 May 1884. See also R. Curtis to M, 7 April 1885 (in this edition as 85-04-07b). The Trustees sent similar letters to W. Guilfoyle and D. Martin; see Argus, 25 June 1884, p. 6.
Please cite as “FVM-84-05-27b,” 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