132 BOTANY IN ESSEX COUNTY 



history has been introduced as a regular study in our 

 higher grades of schools. Yet this institution has done 

 a lion's share. Beginning before others, it has been as 

 the leaven for the whole lump, preparing the people for 

 all truth and wisdom. It has encouraged those who 

 needed encouragement and offered facilities to those ready 

 to work. Through its publications it has furnished the 

 medium for the expression of ideas and the presentation of 

 the results of scientific investigations, and it has sustained, 

 at home and abroad, a reputation for Essex County as a 

 scientific and intellectual centre. It is an honorable rec- 

 ord, and this institution may well be proud of the result 

 of its fifty years of labor. And in connection with this 

 work the names of Cutler, Oakes, Pickering, Osgood, 

 Eussell and many other botanists will always be remem- 

 bered with gratitude. They helped each other, and 

 though all have passed away the result of their work will 

 be a help to every future botanist who shall collect or 

 study in Essex County. 



Nor can I close without expressing my personal indebt- 

 edness to my old and honored friend, our president. To 

 his belief in the necessity of encouraging the young* stu- 

 dent is in a great measure due the perpetuation of the 

 institution he helped so ably to begin. He has ever be- 

 lieved that young laborers and new men must be en- 

 grafted on the old stock. I feel for myself as I know it 

 has been with others, that what I have enjoyed of botany, 

 of natural history generally, of museum work, is due to 

 the encouragement given and the trust placed in me by 

 him when I was but a boy, and if I have added the least 

 of value to the work of those who have preceded me, it 

 is the result of the stimulus coming of such encourage- 

 ment and trust. 



