44 



less striking in eliaracter, Ihoiigh perhaps less in magnitiule, than those 

 which have been rendered by the science of geology. Botanical studies, 

 which have ever been far advanced in Indiana, have disclosed the nature 

 and character of our various forests and have especially been concerned 

 with the improvements of economic plants for agricultural and horitcul- 

 tural purposes. The study of economic botany is one which lies near to tlie 

 welfare of many of the fundamental industries, chief among them being- 

 agriculture and pharmacy. Especially the study of the development of 

 special characteristics of plants useful in the arts is one of the phases to 

 wlnVli botany in this State has made large contributions. Without discrim- 

 inating against the other botanical laboratdrics in the State. I can best illus- 

 trate the useful character of this work by what has been done at Purdue 

 University, the work of that institution being more familiar to me in ap- 

 plied botanical science than of the other institutions of the State. From 

 the botanical laboratories of Purdue University there have been, from 1884 

 to 1898, fifty bulletins published on botanical subjects of practical im- 

 portance to the industries of our State. Tliese were chiefly from the fer- 

 tile pens of Arthur and Coulter. It will, of course, be impossible to even 

 give a brief review of this magnificent work. I must confine myself 

 merely to quoting the titles of some of these important contributions in 

 order to show how closely allied they are to the industries of the State. 

 Anu)ng these titles I miglit mention the following: "What Is Common 

 Wheat RustV "A New Factor in the Improvements of Crops." "I'.lack 

 Knot and Other Excrescences," "Living Plants and Their Properties," 

 "The Forest Trees of Indiana," "Science and the State." "Forest Fruits," 

 "The Flora of Indiana," etc. 



If you add to the contributions which have been made from Purdue Uni- 

 versity those which have been made from other centers of botanical stud- 

 ies and investigations you have a sum total of most important practical 

 results. In general, it may be said, that by reason of the activity of the 

 botanical science in tlils state and the application thereof to our indus- 

 tries we have a far more accurate knowledge of those plants which are 

 most intimately related to our industries. In the second place, we have a 

 systematic and scientific conception of the methods of treating these plants 

 in order to produce the greatest economic results. Third, avi' liave a more 

 advanced knowledge of the proper distribution of these plants in such a 

 manner as to take advantage of the natural qualities of the soil or topo- 

 graphical features of the State and the meteorological environments. In 



