6 
of the Director of the Garden, and I am glad to come here 
among you to do this. 
Personally, I may say that I am indebted to Professor Gager 
for many kindnesses, and among many others, * 
what he has done to help secure favorable acceptance here of 
my theories. I hardly have to remind you of the fact that he 
had the kindness to translate one of my little books into your 
language. 
Coming to the words of Mr. ‘Taylor, you have heard that this 
young tree is unique in its scientific relation to other trees of that 
part of the earth which is to be represented in this part of your 
Garden. Now, a young tree in a young garden suggests har- 
mony. It shows how the Garden will increase, and gives us hope 
of seeing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden grow at the same rate 
as the tree, and grow to be one of the greatest of the earth. And 
the fact that it is unique in its scientific position, that no other 
tree of the same group (no other species of the same genus, 
Liqwidambar) is found anywhere around here, suggests more 
harmony. It stands a young and healthy tree in a young and 
delightful Garden, a unique tree in a unique garden, and will be 
unique when it grows old and grand, as unique as it is here. I 
thank you. 
Conferring of Honorary Membership in the Broooklyn Institute 
At the close of the tree planting exercises, Professor Hooper, 
Director of the Brooklyn Institute, referring to the historical ties 
that bind the locality of the Garden and its vicinity to Holland, 
announced that Professor de Vries had been unanimously elected 
by the Council to honorary membership in the Institute, and that, 
as soon as the Board of Trustees convened for their first fall 
meeting, the certificate of membership would be made out and 
forwarded.* Professor de Vries replied in a few well chosen 
words, accepting the honorary membership, and expressing his 
appreciation of the same. This concluded the exercises of the 
afternoon. 
At six o’clock the members of the Garden staff and a few in- 
vited guests took dinner with Professor de Vries at the home 
of the Director of the Garden. 

*The action of the Trustees was taken on 11 Oct., 1912. 
