['From Baron von Mueller, stating that as the cool season was approaching, he would be ready to send some roots of the West African Wonder grass (Panicum spectabile), which plant was introduced by him into Australia, so that a trial might be made as to whether our mild climate would be warm enough for this most valuable pasture grass. It had been proved lately that this large Panicum would succeed also on sandy sea-coasts, and along river banks, which it helped to consolidate. The Baron further intimated that he could let the council have a supply of the New Zealand flax, if they liked to try that valuable fibre plant.1]
Panicum spectabile
The report continued: 'It was unanimously decided to accept the offer of the first mentioned plants, the council already possessing a supply of the flax'.
Letter not found. The text given here is from Port Fairy gazette, 14 February 1896, p. 2, in the report of the meeting of the Port Fairy Borough Council held on 12 February 1896.
The Council minute is very brief: 'Correspondence received. Baron von Mueller offering to forward Economic Plants' (Minute book 11, 06 June 1894 - 18 May 1898, p. 204, VPRS 11097/P0001, Port Fairy Borough Council records VA 2488, Public Record Office, Victoria).
M's letter is dated to February 1896 as the last date it could have been written to have been received at that meeting.
Please cite as “FVM-96-02-00,” 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