101] 
THe Lriprary 
VERUS BOTANICUS UBIQUE SCIENTIAM BOTANICES EXCOLIT OCULIS 
PROPRIIS QUAE SINGULARIA SUNT OBSERVAT NEC SUA SOLUM EX 
AUCTORIBUS COMPILAT. Linnaeus MDCCL 
Many, on entering the library for the first time, pause to 
read the above inscription which, in essence, is the dictum of 
Agassiz, “Study nature, not books.” Nature to Dr. Gager, how- 
ever, was not in itself sufficient ; books also were needed. Endless 
would be the task and hard the way of him who, in this day, would 
attempt to wrest a secret from plants without first searching out 
what had already been done in his field of endeavor. Here in 
the library is gathered together the accumulated and recorded 
knowledge of botanical workers of the past. The present col- 
lection of books and journals is a tribute to the skill with which 
Dr. Gager accomplished his object of assembling a well rounded 
botanical library, rich in early fundamental works, monographs 
books, and complete sets of highly technical botanical periodicals. 
The Librarian’s function was at first combined with that of 
Secretary by Miss Bertha M. Eves. In September, 1913, the h- 
brary growth necessitating full time attention, Miss Helen’ Virginia 
Stelle was appointed Librarian, followed by Miss Anna K. Fossler 
(Acting Librarian), Dr. Laura E. W. Benedict, Miss Ray 
Simpson, Mr, Calvin W. Foss, Mrs. Emilie Perpall Chichester 
(Acting Librarian), and Mr. William I. Jordan. 
During 1911, the first year of the library’s existence, subserip- 
tions were Bric for four periodicals, and as early as October, 
1912, Dr. Gager wrote of the needs of the library, and listed ten 
of the periodicals most urgently desired. He suggested that don- 
ors, interested in the library, might by endowment secure for it a 
given periodical in perpetuity. 
During 1915, special stress was laid on enriching the files of 
current periodicals, and by the end of the year 224 titles were 
Hg received. Since the Botanic Garden issues several valuable 
* Dr. Gager made the following free translation of this quotation: “The 
true pee everywhere cultivates the science of botany. With his own 
y 
— 
eves he observes those things that are noteworthy, and he does not mere 
compile his own works from authors.’ 
” 
