This letter was written by Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, Melbourne Botanic Gardens to Mr Ford, Ballarat Town Clerk and is evidence of the advisory role von Mueller played, especially in the 1880's, in terms of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.Doctor von Mueller was a valuable contributor to the development and planning of Ballarat Public Gardens. He visited Ballarat regularly and was also examiner for the Botany course at the Ballarat School of Mines.Photocopy of the original yellowed letter on two white sheetsPhotocopied letter written longhand in black ink. Left hand side in faint handwriting underlined, "Dr. Mueller, Topping the gum tree, 28/7/71".john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, melbourne botanic gardens, baron ferdinand von mueller, doctor von mueller, doctor mueller, mr ford town clerk, blue gum trees, botany course school of mines, george longley, benevolent home gardens, director melbourne botanic gardens, victorian government botanist., john garner collection, gardens, ballarat