The great difference between the latter and the work as pursued 

 by Hosack lies in our knowledge of the nature of the life proc- 

 esses and therefore of the proper and effective methods of studying 

 them. Even in the state of ignorance which then existed, it was 

 clear to such keen reasoners as Hosack that the reaching of 

 sound botanical conclusions required that the living plant be kept 

 under observation, and he became possessed of the strongest de- 

 termination to establish a botanical garden adequate to the needs 

 of local botanists and teachers of botany. After long efforts to 

 secure sufficient cooperation, he at length decided to enter inde- 

 pendently upon the enterprise, and in 1801 he purchased 20 acres 

 of land at Elgin, now bounded by 46th and 50th Sts., and 5th 

 and Madison Avenues (or probably of somewhat greater extent) 

 and established the famous Elgin Botanical Garden, better known 

 perhaps as the Hosack Botanical Garden. Besides his hardy 

 plants, many were grown in a large conservatory. The site of 

 this garden was described in 181 1 as "about three and one-half 

 miles from this city, on the middle road between Bloomingdale 

 and Kingsbridge." This garden has of late years become so 

 well known through various writings, that I shall not take up its 

 general history. Hosack announced its primary object of atten- 

 tion as being the collection and cultivation of the native plants of 

 this country, especially such as possessed medicinal value or 

 were otherwise useful. He gratefully acknowledges assistance 

 received in starting his Garden from Professor Mitchill, his prede- 

 cessor, from the Hon. Robert R. Livingston and from John 

 Stevens, Esq., of Hoboken. He soon learned what has recently 

 become apparent to many persons here present, that the suc- 

 cessful conduct of a botanical garden is a work of enormous 

 labor and serious responsibility, and that one man, otherwise 

 engaged, cannot accomplish it. With the garden already in 

 actual successful operation, it was not so difficult to enlist state 

 interest, and the legislature was induced to purchase it in 18 10, 

 and to provide the necessary funds by means of a lottery. Ho- 

 sack subsequently enjoyed the classical distinction of all success- 

 ful promotors of great enterprises, in being assailed by the high- 

 class scum of citizenship. By subsequent legislative action the 



