ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS VICTORIA
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 21 September 1872, page 6
BARON VON MUELLER AND THE MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS.
It has been with great regret that we have observed from the Melbourne papers that differences, which appear to strengthen with time, have arisen between the learned head of the Botanical Department of Victoria and a section of the inhabitants of Melbourne At a distance from the locus in quo it is impossible to judge of the many small details which are im ported into an affair of this kind , but perhaps for that reason we can approach the subject with a more unbiased mind than were we cog nisant of all the smaller facts.
The matter, as we gather from its leading features, stands thus. Those who aro dissatis-fied with the Baron's administration complain that the gardens oro not sufficiently ornamental, that they are deficient in flowers and general aitistic effect, and that the inhabitants of the city have not in the gardens that attractive place of public resort to which they conceive them-selves to be entitled, and which they appeaor to consider to be tho primary object of the institution
The Baron, on the othor hand, while denying the premises and claiming to have done in the way of ornamentation as much as was possible with the means at his disposal, points to the title of the institution at the head of which the Government have placed him, and denies that mere flower beds, lawns, waterfalls rookeries, and the hundred other details of pleasure grounds are any more than mere incidentals of a Botanic Garden which should be made entirely subservient to higher aims and nobler objects of science. He regards the funds one en trusted to him as those of a high grade teacher, and the institution as a school. He conceives it to be his duty to teach the uses of plants, and to apply the means placed at his disposal by the State for tho exemplification of those uses He seems to consider that the colonists of Victoria generally have a right to look to him as a guide in entering upon new horticultuial or agricultural undertakings, so that they may be saved from attempting to grow plants unsuited to the climate, or from loss of time or waste of money by being shown, from the inception of their undertaking, the true wants of the plant and tho correct method of cultivation. Whether these considerations apply to fruits, cereals or other vcgctable products which may vary or improve the food of the people, or to timbers, fibres, oils, and other staple products, the wealth of theo colony and tho prosperity of its inhabitants are intimately concerned. With this truth tee Baron appears to bo strongly impressed, and by allowing it to govern his course of action ho appears to consider that he is best doinghis duty to tho country whose servant he is.
We are told by those who have seen the Melbourne Botanic Gardens that, while not possessing the attractions of our own delightful little Botanical Garden, and possibly open to slightly unfavorable comparison with the Fitzroy and other gardens where the gardener's art has had full sway, they are yet by no means unattractive, and that, considering their area (which, compared with those of Brisbane, may be called enormous), much unmerited abuse has been heaped upon their learned director
But there are few plants indeed for which a visitor might seek which are not to be found there in at least one healthy specimen if the climate at all permits its growth, while the examples of rare conifers and other trees may be seen by thousands. And here we may re-mark upon the great advantage which Victoria derives from having in her services a man of such world wide eminence He has only to ask to obtain from any establishment in the civilised world, and his efforts at introducing now plants from other countries appear to have been singu larly successful Nor are the services of such a man restricted to tho boundaries of his own colony. We have observed from time to time Baron Mueller's name among the contributors to and exchanges with our own Acclimatisation Socioty , while it is a fact not generally known, that the development of the phytography of Northern Queensland has been left to the enterprise of this gentleman, supportod in large measure by his own private means That this is not altogether creditable to the Government of Queensland is by the way, but we never heard of Baron Mueller receiving one sixpence of aid towards the long and productive labors of the late Mr Dallacboy
Space will not admit of much further referenco to this subject. The exceptionally large selection from which the public reserves of Victoria and the land about the numerous public institutions are planted, is owing almost entirely to the indefatigable exertions of Dr Mueller in introducing plants and seeds from all parts of the world, while his public teachings on the utility of forests in tho physical oconomy of the world, and other subjects of oven greater interest and importance, alone entitle him to the gratitude and consideration of tho Victorian people
Putting on one side for a moment the Mel bourne Gardens, and bearing in mind that the work which this eminent man is so well perform ing is the very work for which the colony pays him, but performed with an unwearying zeal which is quite exceptional, we hope to hear that this unseemly squabble will be allowed to drop. We do not venture to doubt that, as in all quarrels, in this case too there may be some fault on the side of Baron Mueller; but we would suggest to our Victorian readers that a colony is far more honored than honoring in the services of such a mun , and that if his mind can only be kept free to prosecute his high mission at the cost of leaving him alone, and finding for the city of Melbourne another public pleasure ground, the colony of Victoria would still be vastly the gainer.
Herald (Melbourne, Vic.: 1861 - 1954), Thursday 23 September 1909, page 3
BOTANIC GARDENS : THE GUIDING HAND
MR GUILFOYLE"S RETIREMENT
Mr W. R. Guilfoyle. director of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, who was appointed to the position in 1873, vacates the office at the end of the present month.
Especial interest is attached to the personality of Mr Guilfoyle. as, under his direct supervision and control, the gardens have been developed until they are renowned throughout Australia and even abroad for their artistic beauty and scientific value. A WILDERNESS TRANSFORMED. Mr Guilfoyle is leaving behind him, as an enduring monument to his memory, his life's work. Who, responding to "the breezy call of incense-breathing morn," has wondered around the lawns and plantations, and cool-spreading trees of the Botanical Gardens, without feeling a glow of pleasure at the de lights surrounding him? It Is now 39 years and three months since Mr Guilfoyle was appointed director of the gardens. Then the fine, picturesque grounds of Government House were little hotter than a wilderness. It was his hand that fashioned them us they appear today. (1873 Melbourne possessed only the Fitzroy Gardens, and to Mr Guilfoyle fell the task of transforming the Botanical Gardens into a sylvan retreat, which is a triumph of landscape art. He added 37 acres to it, as well as the beautiful little lake, which occupies an area of 10 acres. The lake was his first Idea when he became director, and the very last work that he finished. It Is the coping stone of a noble piece of landscape architecture. Tho lake was recently deepened, and vastly improved. The present Minister for Lands (Mr McKenzie) provided 690 pounds to complete It. The picturesque effect gained by running promontories into it emanated from Mr Guilfoyle.
Visitors from England and the Continent - people who have, in some cases, travelled all over the world— are loud in their praises when they see the gardens, which have been frequently described as not only among the most picturesque, but among the most scientifically arranged, of any in the world. Such praise is well deserved. Not only do they contain a great collection of Australian trees, shrubs and climbers in harmonious groups and inliers, but exotic plants of all kinds. Mr Guilfoyle has established a classified system of plants for students of botany, and the gardens are an almost complete botanical map of the world. Everything is plainly labelled with the common names and the name of the country that it comes from. There is also a medicinal garden containing nearly all the plants included in the arnmcoptrlii, and a museum of economic botany. Not only arc the gardens a feast of beauty and colour, but they play an important part in the education of hundreds of people today PROUD OF HIS WORK. "it has all been a labour of love to me." remarks Mr Guilfoyle and as he speaks there is a note of sadness und regret in his voice. "I am leaving 100 acres of garden which is one of the finest in the world. It Is a keen pleasure to me that I have created something (that is valuable to science, and a greater pleasure to realise that my hand and brain have fashioned a great people's park, where a tired parent can rest, and little children play. Surely, I cannot be accused of boasting when I say that I am proud of what I have accomplished. When I came here there was not a single lawn, and little real order. Now, there are between 30 and 40 acres of beautiful green sward, almost as free to the public as the pure air and the blue sky. It has been a delight to me to watch the progress of this great garden, nothing has been done at random. Every thought of mine has been centred upon its completion into an harmonious whole. Now that it is finished, I suppose that it is fitting that I should be content to leave it. But as long as I live my interest in it will not cease," The attention to detail which the gardens show is eloquent of the work of the man. There cannot be found a single branch to mar the beautiful picture. Every vista, every opening, the colours and grouping of the foliage, the heights of the trees and the level of the shrubs have nil been fashioned to secure a beautiful skyline. It is a magnificent decorative scheme, well and faith fully carried out. "My hope," remarked Mr Guilfoyle, "Is that my successor will not undo what I have done with such trouble. I trust that neither tree nor plantation will be placed in the beautiful glades and hollows. The picture can easily be destroyed by injudicious planting." HIS BOTANICAL EDUCATION. Mr Guilfoyle. chatting for the last time in his library, where his literary and scientific treasures are tumbled about in the process of packing, tells something of his career. "My botanical education came from three sources— William Sharp Macleay. of Sydney: John McGillivray. the author of the voyage of the Rattlesnake, and William Woods, an old teacher.
Landscape gardening came to me by heritage. I was never taught it, but my father laid out some of the most important places in England. In 1868 I joined the Challenger, and travelled all over the South Sea Islands, the -Solo mons Group. New Guinea, the New Hebrides, and elsewhere. The beautiful scenery of these Islands inspired me with the Idea of grouping. I also gained much experience in three visits to Ceylon." Mr Guilfoyle, in taking a farewell of the Botanical Gardens staff, paid them a warm tribute for their zeal and industry "I feel that I cannot leave." he said, "without expressing my gratitude to those who have tried to do their utmost to aid me in making these gardens beautiful. I have endeavoured to inspire each man with enthusiasm, and I am de lighted at the result, I have spent the best part of my life in pleasurable, yet tedious work, on the spot which, above all others on earth, I truly love." It Is Mr Guilfoyle's intention to take a long rest, and then devote himself to literary work connected with his profession.
Wikipedia - Ferdinand Von Mueller
Wikipedia - Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Researched and compiled by Andrew Parker 2021
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