FIRST ANNUAL BANQUET. 147 



and stamens it has and what sonorous Latin name it bears. 

 Much more than this, as Dr. Farlow has said, Mr. Shaw 

 recognized in the science of botany. He desired to pro- 

 mote the study and development of that science in its 

 broadest relations. One direction in which he expressly 

 provides that investigations shall be made is in respect of 

 the relations of botany to agriculture. 



Among the guests whom the Trustees have the pleasure 

 of welcoming this evening, is a citizen of Missouri, who, be- 

 sides holding important public office in this State, and in 

 the United States, has devoted many years of his life to the 

 promotion of farming interests and the intelligent study 

 and pursuit of agriculture. Appointed by President Cleve- 

 land to the important office of Commissioner of Agriculture, 

 he became, towards the close of that administration, the 

 first Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, then 

 newly established by Congress. 



I have great pleasure in calling upon the Honorable 

 Norman J. Colman to respond to the sentiment, — "Bot- 

 any, in its relation to Agriculture." 



COLONEL COLMAN. 



Mr. Chairman: At this late hour of the night, I feel 

 that it would be quite out of place for me to make any pro- 

 tracted remarks, and I shall be very brief indeed in what I 

 may say. I have been led to ask myself, as I have listened to 

 the very appropriate and able speeches which have been de- 

 livered, if he who has caused two blades of grass to grow 

 where only one grew before should be called a public bene- 

 factor, what higher title and honor should not be given to 

 him who has caused thousands of blades to grow where 

 only one grew before, who has collected from the four 

 quarters of the globe the most beautiful trees and shrubs 

 and flowers which were native there, and brought them here 

 and planted them and nursed them and left them as a legacy 



