Ixvi Obituary Notices of Fellows deceased. 



both tact and patience, qualities with which Pearson was fortunately 

 liberally endowed. Though diffident and retiring, he had the courage of his 

 convictions ; he was deservedly popular and thoroughly trusted ; his one aim 

 was to benefit the country of his adoption and the science which he loved. 



In his presidential address to the Botanical Section of the South African 

 Association for the Advancement of Science he stated the case for the 

 establishment of a National Garden with admirable wisdom and foresight; 

 he dwelt on the neglect of the native plants, and pointed out that more 

 South African species are cultivated in European gardens than at the Cape. 

 He emphasized the economic advantages to be gained from the cultivation of 

 indigenous plants, the discovery of new sources of fibre, rubber, drugs, and 

 other products ; he also urged the importance of adding to the Garden a 

 National Herbarium, a Museum of Economic Botany, a Library, and Besearch 

 laboratories. 



The Prime Minister (General Botha) received a deputation in April, 

 1912, and Sir Lionel Phillips warmly espoused the cause of a National 

 Garden in the House of Assembly on May 6, 1913, when it was unanimously 

 resolved to establish a State Garden at Kirstenbosch. The Kirstenbosch 

 estate, bequeathed to the nation by Cecil Rhodes, comprising nearly 

 400 acres, was handed over to Trustees and Prof. Pearson was appointed 

 Honorary Director. Work began on August 1, 1913. It is an admirable 

 site, and the undulating ground on "the eastern slope of Table Mountain, 

 which ranges from 60 to 1500 feet above sea-level, supports a rich native 

 flora, including a fine forest of silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum). 

 Pearson's aim was at last realised and, though he modestly disclaimed 

 more than a comparatively subordinate share in its foundation, he is 

 generally regarded in South Africa as the founder of the garden. It was 

 his tactful persistence and his faculty of communicating his enthusiasm to 

 others that led those in authority to give definite expression to his wishes. 

 During his brief tenure of the Directorship, he gave himself unsparingly to 

 the work of construction, and the impression left on my mind, after a visit of 

 a few hours in July, 1914, was that, under his guidance, the Kirstenbosch 

 Garden would in course of time rival the best gardens in the world. 



The author ( W. Duncan Baxter) of an In Memoriam article in ' The Cape ' 

 for November 10, 1916, writes: "It is Kirstenbosch that will feel his loss 

 most. During the last three years he had devoted himself heart and soul to 

 that great undertaking. He saw the importance and possibilities of the 

 starting of the National Botanic Gardens there, and, under his most skilful 

 and efficient direction, the gardens have progressed in a wonderful way 

 and the foundation of all their future scientific work has been well laid. All 

 his spare time was devoted gratuitously to the work, and his genial 

 enthusiasm infected everybody who came in contact with. him. He rests 

 in the spot he loved so well, the Cycad Hill facing the mountain and 

 overlooking the glen. What more suitable spot could have been chosen for 

 the resting place of the founder of Kirstenbosch ? . . . The best memorial 



