338 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ward, "That one answer will save me fifty dollars per year." Sach exaaiples 

 of the value of Dr. Kedzie's services to the horticulturists and farmers of this 

 State could be cited .almost without end; and not the least of their virtues 

 lies in the ungrudging, familiar, and intelligible way in which his iuvaluable 

 advice is given. 



The close of his work will necessarily come not a great many years hence; 

 but in his present vigor of both mind and body, and his cheerful, genial, 

 inspiring preseace, as well as his willing and ceaselees industry, the wiiole 

 people of Michigan have cause for thankfulness. 



A PEN SKETCH OF PROF. A. J. COOK. 

 BY DR. F. W. GOLiING. 



How frequently, when tracing the genealogical records for information 

 concerning some noted character, we find the statement, "His father was a 

 farmer." Such is recorded of Washington, Lincoln, Webster, and a host of 

 others, and the same must be said of the subject of this sketch. 



At an early day the elder Cook settled near what is now Owosso, Michigan, 

 in a heavily timbered countr}', where by hard labor and wise management he 

 created from, the primBval forest, oae of the Qtimt farms ia the state 



There August 3u, 184:i, Albert J. Avas born, there he passed his childhood, 

 and there, too, was laid the foundation of his education, while attending the 

 schools in the vicinity. B;.dng very fond of flowers nud animals, (as was his 

 mother), while yet a boy he made a collection of the plants and insects of 

 that vicinity, taking great delight in studying and arranging them. 



In 1859 he began a full course of study at the Michigan Agricultural Col- 

 lege, where, after four years' careful preparation, he was graduated, in 1862, 

 receiving the degree of B. S., the records showing an almost perfect rank in 

 mathematics and the sciences. 



After completing his studies, he turned his face westward, reaching Cal- 

 ifornia the following year, where he was soon engaged in teaching. Remain- 

 ing in this work until 1866, he returned to Michigan, soon after being called 

 to the assistance of his ahna mater, where he has been continuously up to 

 the present time, more than twenty-two >ears, occupying the chair of Ento- 

 mology and director of the Entomological laboratory. 



Prof. Cook was drawn toward the study of Entomology through his love of 

 nature, and being of a practical turn of mind the economic side of all questions 

 relating to the sciences was always uppermost m his thoughts, the study of 

 bees being particularly interesting to him. His })ublished writings on this 

 subj'jct alone are of suflBcient importance to place his name among the most 

 eminent of naturalists, while as an economic entomologist he stands second 

 to none. 



Michigan, unlike her sister State of Hlinois, has never fully realized the 

 benefits that would accrue to the agricultural and horticultur^il interests of 

 the commonwealth, by the estaldishment of the office of state entomologist, 

 though the subject has been agitated for several years by members of this 

 society. Had such an office been created, in all probability Prof. Cook would 

 have been called to fill it. Though receiving no official appointment, he has 

 been the acting State entomologist for many years, bjing entomologist 



