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the growing of something, and in fact is covered with wild plants. On 
the projection of one of these hills are to be found more hepaticas and 
trilliums than at any other place in this section of the country, and on one 
of the hillsides about three-fourths of an acre is covered like a meadow 
with celandine poppies. 
The native wild plants have never been disturbed in this piece of for- 
est, it having never been pastured, and here I have found growing a 
greater variety of trees, shrubs, vines. herbaceous plants and fungi than 
in any other place that I have seen in all the tramping that I have done, 
and I have been a tramp all of my life. No amount of money or labor 
that could be expended by man could make such a garden as has here 
already been created by God. Truly, it has been written: “The heavens 
declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” 
“His works are done in truth;” “the earth is full of the goodness of the 
Lord.” 
The primary idea I have in mind is to preserve these “wondrous 
works,” just as they are, for all time to come. My second thought is that 
to this garden shall be brought, planted and preserved every tree, shrub, 
vine and plant not already growing in it, which now grows, or has here- 
tofore grown, in Indiana: in other words, that the garden shall represent 
the botany of Indiana. 
Of the birds it is written, “and not one of them is forgotten before 
God.” Then, why not we have considerate care for them? Again, it is 
written: “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest 
for herself, where she may lay her young.” This embodies my thought 
as to what the garden is to be for the birds. That is. that it is to be 
their home, and a place where they can have their nests and raise their 
young without molestation. The garden is peculiarly favorable for both 
land and water fowls. and every effort will be made to make it a favor- 
able stopping and breeding place for them. In doing this, special atten- 
tion will be given to the planting of trees, shrubs and vines that produce 
fruits, berries and nuts, so that they, the squirrels and the like, may have 
plenty of food. 
My hope is that provision may be made for a library and appliances 
for the study of natural history, in connection with the garden, and that 
the whole may be in charge of a curator. 
I was born in the city of Indianapolis: what little college education I 
liave was obtained at Butler College, and the Indiana Academy of Science 
