To Thomas Wilson¹    22 October 1886

Melbourne,

22 Oct. 1886.

T. R. Wilson Esqr,

Undersecretary.

Sir

In accordance with your memorandum of the 12th inst.² I have the honor to inform you,

1, that 1000 copies of the last edition of the "Select plants"³ were printed;

2, that 201 bound and 450 simply stitched copies were sold;

3., that 349 copies were gratuitously distributed.

These data have been obtained from the Acting Gov. Printer.

As the proposed new Edition could not have (after so short an interval) any very copious addenda, though some additions would be made, there would be no necessity to distribute many copies gratuitously again, except to members of Parliament, so that almost the whole new edition would be available for sale.

The necessity of sending 100 copies to the Exhibition⁴ and 100 to the Agent Generals Office will also not reoccur.

4, The Acting Gov. Printer states, that a reprint of 1000 copies (merely stitched) would cost £176 or, 2000 copies £241 or 3000 copies £307

Any binding in cloth would be at the rate of 1/1d pr. copy. I have therefore the honor to recommend, that the sum of £190 be placed on the additional estimates for 1000 copies, which will allow for some additions to be made to the new edition from notes written since the last issue by me already.

It will be for the consideration of the Government, whether the favorable opportunity should be seized on to print off the additional 2000 copies, while the proposed new edition is in type. If in the Educational Department could be provided the needful £131, then 2000 State Schools could be provided with a copy each for reference. As regards the 1000 copies for the Gov. Botanist Establishment, the outlay for them will be fully recovered by the sale.

I have the honor to be

your obed. serv.

Ferd. von Mueller.⁵