52 ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



When about 21 years of age, Dr. Booth, in company with 

 two other Rochester young men, went to Valparaiso, South 

 America, with the intention of engaging in the preparation of 

 quinine, for exportation. Unfortunately, just after the arrival- of 

 these young men in South America, the Chilian government for- 

 bade the exportation of quinine. Thrown upon his own resources. 

 Dr. Booth engaged in other occupations, practicing his profession, 

 teaching school, conducting a drug store and a book store ; he also 

 worked as an engineer, and in the mines. After about ten years 

 in 1861, tiring of the Southern country, he returned to the United* 

 States. 



After his return to Rochester, Dr. Booth bought some land on 

 the Culver Road, in the town of Irondequoit, and this was his 

 home until his death. January, 1906. His intention in buying the 

 land on which he made his home for so many years, was to engage 

 in the cultivation of fruit, and that he did raise splendid fruit, 

 many of his friends can testify, for his kindness of heart and 

 generosity were proverbial. Though it was several miles from his 

 home to the center of the city, he always walked into town, in- 

 variably refusing all neighborly offers of a ride. His inseparable 

 companion on his trips to the city was a covered willow basket, 

 holding, perhaps, about a peck. Many were the gifts of pears, 

 apples, grapes and other fruit which his friends received from him. 

 So inseparably was this basket connected with him, that on his 

 death a friend begged it to hang on his wall as a memento, and 

 many other friends will long remember the basket and its generous 

 owner. 



One of the greatest charms of Dr. Booth's home was his 

 garden. It was not a formal garden, nor was it all in one plot. 

 All the dear old fashioned flowers were there, as well as many 

 more recently introduced ones, and these were scattered around 

 in different parts of his grounds. Many of our native plants 

 had a home in his garden, and these were carefully planted in 

 locations as nearly like their native habitats as possible. Some 

 particularly rare species flourished as well in his garden as in their 

 natural environment. Rhododendron niidijlora or Azalea nndifiora, 

 the Pinxter Flower, one of the sweetest and most beautiful of our 

 native plants, is difficult to transplant successfully. It may live a 



