David G. Fairchild 

 (1869-1954) 



Official records, personal papers, and published accounts indicate that 

 David Fairchild was instrumental in the earlier planting of Japanese flow- 

 ering cherry trees in the Washington, D.C., area. 



David Fairchild was born in Lansing, Mich., on April 7, 1869. His 

 father, George T. Fairchild, was then a professor of English literature at 

 the Michigan Agricultural College. In 1879, his father became President 

 of Kansas State College of Agriculture, and the family moved to Man- 

 hattan, Kans. In 1885, Fairchild entered Kansas State College. After grad- 

 uating in 1888, he enrolled for a short time in the Universities of Iowa and 

 Rutgers and, in 1889, was employed by the U.S. Department of Agricul- 

 ture in Washington, D.C. He remained with the Department until 1933. 

 Dr. Fairchild, a plant explorer and administrator with the Department, 

 was responsible for establishing in the United States over 75,000 edible, 

 ornamental, and economic crops, many of which are used today. 



During his life, he received many honors. He was a lifetime trustee of 

 the National Geographic Society and President of the American Genetic 

 Association. The Fairchild Tropical Gardens at Miami, Fla., was named 

 in his honor. In addition to these honors, he was a member of each of the 

 following scientific societies: International Society of Botanists, The 

 American Pomological Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science, 

 American Society of Naturalists, the Societe d'Horticulture Algerie, and 

 the Societe d' Acclimation. Dr. Fairchild published many scientific articles 

 and books. He described his travels in such works as "The World was My 

 Garden," "Garden Islands of the Great East," "The World Grows Around 

 My Door," and "Exploring for Plants." 



Dr. Fairchild died in Coconut Grove, Fla. 



Masanao Hanihara 

 (1876-1934) 



Mr. Hanihara was Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Washington, 

 D.C, when, in 1909, the Japanese sent the first gift of cherry trees to Mrs. 

 Taft. As Secretary, he kept Colonel Cosby informed of the details that 

 related to the trees coming to Washington, D.C. 



After leaving his post as Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in 1911, 

 Hanihara later served as the Japanese Consul General in San Francisco, 

 Calif. He returned to Japan to become Director of the Bureau of Com- 

 merce of the Foreign Office; he then became Vice Minister of Foreign 

 Affairs for his government. In 1922, he was appointed Ambassador to the 

 United States and held that post until 1924. 



He died in Tokyo, Japan. 



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