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the natural and normal, but most are not. A botanic garden brings to the 

 many a touch of what only the few can secure for themselves. You have 

 doubtless developed some very definite and effective ways of expressing the 

 social contribution of this garden to the life and welfare of this community. 

 But to me, speaking in general terms, the conspicuous social contribution 

 is to provide the opportunity, and to see to it that all the people take 

 advantage of it. " 



Of the educational service contribution of a botanic garden, Dr. Coulter 

 said in part: 



"It is this contribution to the community that you have developed 

 with remarkable success. Nature is a great teacher when she really comes 

 in contact with the pupil. The notion is too prevalent that knowledge comes 

 from books; that one can read about nature and acquire knowledge of 

 nature. One might just as well try to acquire knowledge of business by 

 reading about business. Knowledge comes from experience, from contact. 

 We must distinguish between knowledge and information. Knowledge is 

 first-hand, obtained from actual contact with the material. Information is 

 second-hand, hearsay, coming from no actual experience. Reading about 

 nature, therefore, brings information; contact with nature brings knowledge. 

 To serve a community by bringing its children into contact with nature is 

 a great educational service. 



Perhaps the most significant contact with nature is the handling of 

 plants. To learn to grow plants and to grow them everywhere, especially 

 near our great centers of population, is a crying need. The development 

 of home gardens is not merely a service for social betterment that all recog- 

 nize, but it is becoming more and more a public necessity. (Spoken at a 

 time of urgent need of food production during the World War. Editor.) 

 Any institution that gives you and your children this training is not merely 

 an educational institution, but also a public benefactor. A botanic garden 

 doing such work is like a power house, radiating energy throughout the 

 community. Such training is an equipment which not only enriches life, 

 but is also an equipment for service. In providing such an opportunity, a 

 city can do nothing better for its young people and its homes, and through 

 them for itself. " 



Concerning the scientific contribution to human welfare that a botanic 

 garden might make, Dr. Coulter says in part: 



'The scientific contribution I regard as your great opportunity, and I 

 wish to help you realize it. We are a very practical people, and unless we 

 can see immediate returns from an investment, we decline to undertake it. 

 Very few people appreciate what it has taken to make things practical. 

 We speak of fundamental science and practical science; sometimes we call 

 these two phases pure science and applied science. The general impression 

 is that pure science holds no relation to public welfare, and that applied 

 science serves our needs. You should know that all applied science depends 

 upon pure science; that there would be nothing to apply unless pure science 



