1 88 THE PLANT WORLD. 



through the influence of Judges Addison Brown and Charles P. 

 Daly, and of Mr. Charles F. Cox and Mr. William E. Dodge. 

 For a long time the idea was regarded with favor in influential 

 circles, but without any definite steps being taken to execute it. 

 Finally, it was remembered that all history teaches that when you 

 have w-earied of discussing a project, and are at length really 

 resolved to carry it out. you must call in the assistance of the 

 women. So a committee of ladies was appointed and held a 

 memorable meeting at the residence of Mrs. Charles P. Daly, 

 which some of the men, your favored speaker among them, were 

 graciously permitted to attend. This influence, while but one of 

 many, each of which was necessary to success, seemed to give 

 the final impetus needed. Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt assumed the 

 financial and executive management of the enterprise, and the 

 stage of organization was reached. 



C)ne element in the success of the garden that has alread}^ shown 

 itself to possess a value beyond price, and which is certain to do 

 so with increasing clearness in the future, is the protective influ- 

 ence of its charter. Born of the learning, long and wide experi- 

 ence and ripe judgment of Judges Brown and Daly, and occupy- 

 ing their attention for considerably more than a year before they 

 were willing to regard it as satisfactory, it seems to provide for 

 every important contingency that it was possible to foresee, and it 

 promises a safety, permanence and stability that are too often 

 wanting in similar organizations. To enter upon a discussion 

 of the personal credit due in the membership, the boards of man- 

 agers and of scientific directors, and in the garden staff, would 

 be an agreeable pleasure, but I must confine myself to the very 

 earnestly made remark that the great success of the garden has 

 been due to the love of the institution and its work which has 

 animated all concerned in it. It is this which has lent faithfulness, 

 earnestness and energy and has incited to many acts of great sac- 

 rifice. If it could ever be said of any similar institution, we are 

 able to say of this that it is a monument of loving service. 



I dare not enter upon a detailed history of the garden's devel- 

 opment, and it has been so often and so recently recorded that I 

 do not deem it necessary. An excellent account of its organiza- 



