1^2 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



authority of the teacher ; who will deny that ? And that the 

 authority of the teacher lodges at last in Betula alba, and 

 who will deny that? Thus we see that there is at once a 

 fundamental need that this Garden which is to stand as the 

 representative institution of this country in this particular 

 line, shall not neglect the culture of the most indispensable 

 Betula alba. 



My own acquaintance with the practical application of 

 arboriculture to pedagogy commenced in my very early 

 years. I remember, sir, — I remember it very distinctly, — 

 when at a very tender age, Amygdalus Persica was applied 

 to my personal anatomy. I called it peach switch then, 

 but it was to Amygdalus Persica y applied by maternal 

 hands, that I owed many resolutions of filial duty. I re- 

 member, sir, when I advanced to the greater dignity of 

 Betula alba in the hands of a stalwart male teacher. But 

 when, sir, as a sturdy youth, my progress in robustness of 

 form and persistency of will was such as to demand the ap- 

 plication of Carya alba, the redoubtable hickory, I grad- 

 uated, sir, with college honors ! 



I confess that I viewed these gifts of nature at that time 

 from an opposition stand-point ; but since I became a 

 teacher, I have changed my point of view, —swapped ends, 

 as it were, — and have learned to look upon them as the 

 essential foundations of modern civilization. 



The poet has sung of Betula alba. I may be allowed, 

 perhaps, to quote from one of our poets, who has addressed 

 the country upon the duties and the character of the peda- 

 gogue, in language antique though in modern times. He 

 says— you will remember our American poet, Saxe — 



" Kighte lordlie is yc Pedagogue 

 As any turbanedTurke; 

 For, welle to rule ye District Schoole, 

 It is no idle worke. 



" For, as 't is meete to soak ye feete, 

 Ye ailinge heade to mende, 

 Ye younkcr's pate to stimulate, 

 He beats ye other eude," 



