36 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The laboratory which is also used for a class room occupies a space of 48x44 

 feet on the first floor. It is admir «bly lighted and furnished with tables, sim- 

 ple and compound miscroscopes, and other accessions required for the best 

 class work. 



The upper stories contain a valuable botanical museum, embracing as a 

 special feature specimens, which index the forest products of Michigan. The 

 conservatory and a botanic garden are near at hand, furnishing material for 

 study. 



The work done here is rendered attractive to the students and is certainly 

 calculated to stimulate original investigation in the field which the "New 

 Botany " occupies. 



Dr. Beal believes that a knowledge of the science of botany as he interprets 

 it to his students, is an important factor in the education of young people for 

 rural pursuits ; especially adapted, perhaps, to those who will follow horticul- 

 ture for a livelihood. A knowledge of vegetable physiology will guide the 

 horticulturists to avoid many errors in the management of plants for profit, 

 and it is this very lack which disqualifies many practical gardeners to succeed 

 when transferred to a country in whose climate they have had no experience. 

 A gardener well grounded in the principles of plant growth, will soon be mas- 

 ter of the situation wherever he may go. A large number of the queries which 

 are found in horticultural publications from men engaged in growing fruits, 

 flowers and vegetables, exhibit the fact that the querists have not had oppor- 

 tunities to study the simplest botanical truths. 



A knowledge of botany lies at the bottom of progress in the production of 

 new plants and fruits ; and a knowledge of botany is absolutely necessary for 

 the prosecution of investigation of the fungus diseases that are so disastrous to 

 the agriculture and horticulture of our day. 



It is through the information gathered in the study of botany that the far- 

 mer is readily enabled to detect frauds in seeds, and thus avoids impositions 

 destructive to success. 



With regard to the intimate relationship of botany to successful horticulture, 

 Dr. Beal says : 



''The horticulturist may think he could get along without a knowledge of 

 botany. He may believe he could learn everything by practical experience. 

 This is a very slow way. He will acquire only a moderate amount of informa- 

 tion in a life-time. We get most of our knowledge at second hand. We can 

 not begin at the foundation of everything we come in contact with. 



" It is true that there are many good horticulturalists who have but slight 

 knowledge of botany, but they have absorbed a large amount of information 

 from botanists and from those who have learned from botanists. As colleges 

 and normal schools are necessary to educate teachers, make books, and main- 

 tain an interest in education, that we may have good common schools, so 

 botany is necessary to the advancement of horticulture. It is very likely that 

 some of the lesser discoveries in horticulture have been made by persons who 

 knew very little of botany, but with a fundamental knowledge of plants, the 

 same persons would have made much more rapid advancement in horticulture. 



" In many respects botany will make horticulturists more capable. It will 

 make them better observers, closer reasoners, strengthen their judgment, culti- 

 vate their taste, broaden their views, and weaken their respect for the 'tradi- 

 tions of the father's,' sharpen their wits and enable them to be more progressive 

 and better citizens." * 



It is in the direction of practical assistance to agriculture and horticulture 



