JAMAICA. 



BULLETIN 



OF THE 



BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT 



New Series.] AUGUST, 1896. ^^IT 



THE SALT BUSHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



Baron Sir F Yon "Mueller, Government Botanist of Victoria, has in 

 the following letter called uttention to the value of different kinds of 

 " Salt Bushes" as food for sheep and cattle in parts of the warmer re- 

 gions of the world where other vegetation is scanty, and the soil is im- 

 pregnated with saline particles. These plants are well worthy of trial 

 in such districts in Jamaica, and seed will be procured from Australia 

 for those who wish to make the experiment. 



Although they are desert plants, they require some care before they 

 become established. It is recommended that the seed be s >wn in nur- 

 sery beds, or in bamboo pots, and after three or four months they may 

 be transplanted to their permanent position It is best to plant them 

 out after the " seasons" rains are over. When once thev are established 

 they require no more care, and will then seed and spread. 



Baron Sir F. Von Mueller to Director Public Gardens and Plantations p 



Jamaica. 



Melbourne, 23rd June, 1896. 

 By this mail, dear Mr. Fawcett, I send you fresh seeds (or rather 

 fruits) of four Atriplices of the best rural Australian species. You may 

 perhaps do as much wonder with them on your salt plains as Professor 

 Hilgard did with Atriplex semibaccatum and several other species, 

 which on my own thoughts and impulses I introduced for the Alkali 

 country of California and the adjoining states, and for which boon he 

 gives my Department some acknowledgement in his reports. These al- 

 kali lands have suddenly, through these " Salt Bushes" of mine, risen 

 enormously in value ; indeed, though California was discovered and spar- 

 ingly colonized soon after Columbus' time, they were till these Last 

 years forbidden ground, as not even indigenous plants would grow >n 

 them. The A. semibaccatuui is relished most by cattle, and ail sorts by 

 sheep. 



Always ready to serve you, 



F. Von Mueller, 



