P.S. Please note remarks within.1
C/o Messr Canning & Sinclair
Stock & Station Agents
St Georges Terrace Perth W.A.
12 Augt 1891
The Baron Von Muëller KCMG &c
Melbourne Victoria
My dear Sir,
Upon my return from the north, I received your kind letter2 also parcel of fodder grass, which I gave to Mr E Keane to experiment in his Estate at Mt Barker in the Southern line of Railway.
With reference to the Sea weed and shells I hope to get you a supply from a gentleman connected with the Pearling Industry I regret my business did not take me to Champion Bay3 or I should have made it my special business to have secured some for you.
I am busy on the Helena Estate eradicating the "York Road poison plant" with Chinese and Boys. It is a Herculean Task. It requires to be taken out root and branch as every fibre exposed to the atmosphere will it is said shoot. Burning it does not good — regrowth thicker than ever. Fibre and leaf enclosed what is your opinion as to killing it? Can you suggest a modus operandi? — other than taking it out root and branch like briar then burning it as it dries. It is deadly as you know to stock particularly when in flower in spring. Kindly give me the benefit of your sage experience.
With regards and and wishing you hale and hearty
& am, Dear Sir
yours very truly
R. Moore McNeece.
Remarks re plant.
The plant as you know has a thick butt, in fine soil the roots extend to a great length, having many fibrous roots
York road poison
there are two species one which grows like spear grass, but is only deadly when in flower.
RMcN
Address
Mr R. Moore McNeece
C/o Messrs Canning & Sinclair
Stock & Station Agents
St Georges Terrace
Perth
West Australia
Please cite as “FVM-91-08-12a,” 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