DECEASE OF LOUIS VAN HOUTTE. 5 



his unreinitting labors in their cultnre, his entliusiasm in tlieir intro- 

 duction, his unceasing efforts in the production of new varieties, 

 and his earnest endeavors to popularize and render familiar a science 

 so deeply promotive of pleasure and refined culture, all lovers of 

 heautiful plants owe a debt of the deepest gratitude. 



Resolved., That as a botanical traveller, as a zealous introducer 

 of new plants, as a skilftil cultivator, as the proprietor and director 

 of the most extensive collection of plants in Europe, and as the 

 author and editor of that most beautiful work, the " Flore des 

 Serres," M. Van Houtte has made rich use of his talents, for horti- 

 cultural advancement everywhere. As a patriotic citizen, and an 

 upright, honest, and sincere man, his death will carry grief to every 

 member of our association. 



Resolved., That we tender to the family of the deceased our 

 s^'mpathies in their great bereavement. 



Resolved., That these resolves be entered upon the records, and 

 that a copy, in French, be forwarded to the family of the deceased. 



Mr. Hovey added that in his horticultural labors M. Van Houtte 

 was aided by the Belgian government in a manner entirely unknown 

 to nurserymen here, yet, even making ever}' allowance for this 

 assistance, his achievements were extraordinary. Ever3'thing new 

 seemed connected with him, — his was the great place from which 

 has emanated almost everything new, not only of his own intro- 

 duction, but everything originated or collected by others. It was 

 ver}' rarely that he sent out an^lhing not of value, and he sometimes 

 incurred the ill will of other nurserymen by condemning novelties 

 which did not come up to his high standard. His estalilishment 

 made Ghent a centre of horticultural interest. Mr. Hovey 

 alluded to the many eminent horticulturists who had passed away 

 since his recollection, — Knight, Van Mons, Loudon, and now Van 

 Houtte, who has added so much to our gardens and pleasure 

 grounds, — a man of rare talents, beloved by every one. In his 

 earl}' da3's, he was a botanical traveller in Brazil, and later he had 

 a share in the establishment of the present liberal and enlightened 

 government of Belgium. Mr. Hovey concluded by expressing his 

 regret that Col. Wilder, who visited M. Van Houtte's establishment 

 not many years ago, was not present to speak of him. 



Edward S. Eand, Jr., in seconding Mr. Hovey's motion, said 

 that he had hoped some one personally acquainted with M. Van 

 Houtte would be present to perform that service. But though he 



