The Minneapolis Journal from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 22

20 MINNESOTA BOTANISTS STUDY AT THE SEASIDE First Season's Work at Vancouver Island Station Proves a Complete and Mountain Flora Noted En Route. Members of the party of botanists that returned last week from the camp and laboratory on Vancouver island agreed that they had had the time of their lives. The good luck which attended the enterprise from start to finish continued up to the lest moment and brought the scientists home six hours after the heated term was over. While on the coast, the highest temperature experienced was 72 degrees, and the cool winds of the Pacific made the evenings and the nights restful for all the members of the party. Thirty-three in all joined the expedition and of these twenty-nine were enrolled at the station where a memorable month was spent in the study of the ocean flora and fauna and in the varied occupations of a.

frontier Those who were members of the party were as follows: From Minneapolis: Miss Bertha Asseln, F. K. Butters, Miss Kloise Butler, Miss Caroline -M. Cros-by, E. A.

Cuzner, Dr. and Mrs. Alger French, Miss Emily Janney, Miss Clara K. Leavitt. Mr.

and Mrs. C. J. Hibbard, Mr. and Mra.

Conway MacMillan, Miss Katharine MacMillan, Mr. and Mrs. Patter- Bon, Miss Jessie Polley, Mrs. Henry Tilden and Miss Josephine E. Tilden.

From St. Paul: L. O. Kellogg, Miss M. G.

Fanning and Miss L. Fanning. Froui Hastings, Harold L. Lyon; from Moorhead, C. A.

Ballard; from Montevideo, Sumner Moyer; from Spring Grove, Otto Rosendahl; from Big Stone Lake, S. Charles Brand; from Fargo, X. Raymond Osburn and Lawrence R. Waldron; from Valley City, N. Miss Lura L.

Perrine; from Boulder, Francis Ramaley; from Everett, Miss Gertrude Gibbs, and from Tokio, Japan, K. Yendo. Vegetation. Observed Kn Route. The special car with its load of botanists went west over the Soo lipe on the evening of June 15.

An opportunity to examine the prairies of western Minnesota, the Dakotas and Assiniboine was highly appreciated by many of the tourists, who had never before conceived of the limitless plains until they saw them spread out from horizon to horizon and marked only by the grass-grown trails of the departed buffalo. At every station characteristic plants of the prairie were brought into the car and commented upon and at the first stop, Banff Hot Springs, a day was spent in the observation and collection of mountain plants. Here in the magnificent valley of the Bow, with mountains on every side, the'party had Its first intimate view of the Rockies and PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE SIWASH BASKET TRUST AT PT. RENFREW. familiarized itself with the new types of vegetation and with the ecological distribution of the forest and mountain meadows.

The remarkable sulphur springs on Sulphur mountain were visited, the activity of travertine-forming algae was observed and the formations, like those of the Yellowstone Park, were examined and photographed. Here through the growth of minute microscopic plants which has been going on for many centuries, great cascades of travertine have been formed upon the mountain side, and in the hot water of the springs the same curious organisms can be collected and investigated. From Banff the route lay through the matchless scenery of the Canadian Rockies, the valley of the upper Columbia. SMALL LABORATORY BUILDING, FESTOONED WITH KELP. the Selkirtts and the Thompson river, and finally the Fraser down to tidewater at Vancouver, the terminal point of the railway.

After a voyage of a few hours through the Straits of Georgia, with its charming island vistas, Victoria was reached. Here a day was profitably spent in visiting the fine museum at the bouses of parliament, the British naval station at Esquimau and other points of SPECIMEN OP BLADDER KELP, 75 FEET LONG. interest, and then the party went on board the steamer Queen City for Port Renfrew, some sixty miles up the west coast, landing safely, though a trifle weatherbeaten, at 4 o'clock the morning of the 21st. From Port Renfrew to the buildings of the Seaside station, a distance of only four miles on the map, was much the gravest problem in the transportation line that developed during the entire journey. The enormous Saratoga trunks with which most of the ladies of the party had provided themselves were finally brought around to the station by intrepid Siwashes who braved the surf in a gallant attempt to reunite the members of the party with their wardrobes.

But this was not until about three days after the ladies themselves had courage- m. TS GRBAT SELKIRK GLACIER. the Minnesota botanical party climbing the glacier July 20. ously walked the difficult and dangerous trail between the port and the station. Busy Days in -Camp.

After the routine of the camp had been established, the serious work of collecting and studying the ocean plants and, animals began. The tides were posted on'the bulletin board in the main laboratory and no matter how early it was in the morning the hour of low tide always found interested workers climbing over the slippery rocks in search of strange plants and animals uncovered by the sea. Tables were assigned to all who desired them, microscopes were set up ancj for a month the work of the station progressed, not without some inconveniences incident to a new enterprise, but with profit and pleasure to all who took part in It. In the evening, informal lectures were given by different members of the corps or the time was spent in story telling and in song around the big fire-place ablaze with driftwood and cedar knots. Many plants and animals not before known to occur on the coast were found and a large amount of new information concerning more familiar forms was secured as a result of the summer's work.

A large collection was brought bark by different members of the party, 150 pounds of valuable material comins to the university alone. Hundreds of photographs illustrating marine and mountain vegetation were taken by those who had provided themselves with cameras and many of these will be in the form of lantern slides or engravings do service in entertainment and instruction or will be published as illustration of special research. In their hours of recreation the members of the station showed no less originality and enthusiasm than in their work. Most of them will not easily forget the great bonfires on the rocks, the mysterious and savage rites of the Hodag founded upon ancient Siwash superstitious, the garden parties, Spanish bull fights, football games, athletic sports and boxing carnival which marked a memorable Fourth of July; the midnight initiation of the Order of Energids held in a surf cavern on a stormy night; the engrcsihg game of "War," imported directly from Japan by Mr. Yendo, and founded upon political conditions in the orient, and the strike of the Tinners' union, which threatened to disrupt the camp, but was fortunately settled by arbitration and mutual concession.

When the time came for departure everyone felt sorry to leave the shore, but after considerable strenuous effort, the luggage and freight were carried to the port and the party embarked for home, feeling that they knew something of a definite and practical nature about ocean vegetation and animal life. On the way home stops were made at the Great Glacier of the Selkirks where a number availed themselves of the opportunity of being roped together by experienced Swiss guides and conducted for a little stroll on the ice. Others spent the time in photography and collection of material. At Laggan another stop of a day was made and Lake Louise, the gem of American mountain lakes, was visited No one found any words to express the grandeur and beauty of this wonderful lake amid the loftiest peaks of the Rockies, but every one felt that by itself it was worth all the time and effort spent upon the trip. Tbe Station a Success.

It has been demonstrated that a party of considerable size can be profitably engaged in marine botanical and zoological work on the Straits of and that such a party can be taken from an inland university to the seashore to the great advantage of all the participants. The Minnesota seaside station not only received and cared for the largest scientific party ever sent out to a considerable distance from the University of Minnesota, but the largest party of botanists, so far as known. THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL. ever taken so great a distance for study from any American institution. The number actually working at the station was in excess of that which can be shown by the older marine botanical stations, either on the Atlantic or Pacific coasts, and it is a source of great congratulation that so successful and profitable a sea- SOUTH DAKOTA'S NEW G.

A. R. COMMANDER. GEORGE W. SNOW OF SPRINGFIELD, ELECTED DEPARTMENT COMMANDER AT THE RECENT STATE ENCAMPMENT.

"CASE DISMISSED" Baltimore Herald. It happened at one of the Baltimore police stations. The prisoner, a long-haired hobo son of Erin, lounged against the bar of justice. Th 6 justice glared at him over his spectacles. "What's his name?" he inquired of the lieutenant.

"Michael O'Hara, squire; charged with being drunk on.the street." "Urn. Foreign oorn," mOSed the Justice. "Sprechen sic Englischen, O'Hara?" The prisoner straightened up in his soleless shoes, and, with the dignity of generations of kings, said: 'Squoir, it's an American citizen I am from me birth, being born in Oirland. I want me case tried by an American judge, an' not by a foreign dago, with a spache that a Christian can't understand. you're Irish.

I thought your name had a German sound," said the squire, more humbly. is dismissed, lieutenant." THE RECENT IOWA MILITIA ENCAMPMENT AT DUBUQUE THE BRIGADE REVIEW ON THB FINE DR ILL GROUNDS ON JULY 29. IN HONOR LIBUTL GOV. MILUMAN. A TRIO OF SOUTH DAKOTA NOMINEES FOR JUDGE son marked the openuing of the new station.

Another year with the added experience and with the improvements that are projected there is no reason why the Minnesota seaside station should not take a front rank among the seaside laboratories of America. ALWAYS EAGER London Spare Moments. She was at a party. He had not yet arrived, but she was momentarily expecting him. The hum of conversation through the room had no significance for her; all her faculties were bent on the front door.

Every time it opened, at every sign in the hall, she would start, while her face would flush and her eyes light up with a feverish expectation. Then the color would go back from her cheeks, her eyes would dull, and her heart would sink, when another than he came into the room. Finally he arrived and took a seat beside her, and she leaned over his shoulder and joyously murmured: "My darling! my darling!" She was too happy to say aught more. Then years later and she again -waits. It is in their own home now.

His step is on the stoop; he opens the door. She springs quickly to the hall. "Wipe your boots!" SCHE FORTY-NINTH AND FIFTIETH IN CAMP AT NUTWOOD DRIVING PARK. by a Ciester. St.

Paul, C. X. SEWARD, WATERTOWN. Third Circuit. SATURDAY AUGUST 3.

1901. A Day in a Typical English Village London, July typical English village. Repeated visits extending back over a long period have made the place as dear and familiar as a second home. Yet in describing it no names will be given, not even the name of the village itself, for the object is, not to draw attention to this one place in particular, but to use this one little spot in the beautiful country district of old England as an illustration of English village life in general, with all its drawbacks, but with special reference to the changes brought about in it in the last twenty-five years. The topic is freshened and vivified by a recent visit to the Annual Horticultural Show.

There is scarcely a man who hasn't his little allotment of land. It generally goes in with the small rent he pays for his dwelling, but if it doesn't attach to his house he is sure to get it somewhere. In some cases after his long day's work he will trudge a mile to spend an hour or so of joyful labor in his own little garden patch. Similarly, too, will the good housewife be devoted to the little flower garden she usually has at her front door. Suchbright, tasteful little enclosures these are, and after the eye has delighted itself with the profusion of flowers outside the cottage, one may then look at the windows and invariably find that these, too, are adorned enticingly in the same way.

Inevitably at the village exhibition there will be in evidence what an American, at first thought, would look upon as the remains of an odious caste spirit. The advance schedule will have duly notified the laborer which is his class, and tradesmen and others to which classes they belong. But this is really in the laborer's interest. One may be as surely outclassed In cultivating turnips or roses as in entering the ring for a prize fight, and everyone will see that in competition with the squire at the hall, who has plenty of leisure and plenty of help, or even with the well-todo tradesman, this would be exactly the predicament of the farm laborer. And as to the caste spirit of which one used to see so much in these out-of-the-way places my observation is that it ii yielding gracefully to common sense and the trend of events.

One does not find now the bow- Ing and scraping to superiors that was common in this typical English village twenty years ago, and really if this custom were still in vogue, it would seem more incongruous than it used to, because the class who formerly yielded this homage are so much better looking than they were; not only better dressed and more cleanly and tidy, but with a new look of intelligence on their faces, due, no doubt, to what through the years the excellent village school has been doing for them. And while the lower orders are becoming more intelligent those higher up in the social scale are evidently becoming much more sensible. They, too, have learned something in the flight of the years not a little of this new light has come to them through the school of adversity. Only for the conviction that such discipline will work out its compensation in an enlarged and enriched social intercourse, I should be sorry for the gentry and farmers of England. For long years they've had hard lines.

Everything has seemed to be against them, but more especially the increasing importation of cereals and meats from America. Farming hasn't paid. Landlords and tenants have all suffered. In many parts lands have depreciated one-half in a score of years. So that the landed gentry have had to get along on Incomes cut in two, and still there has been no better chance for the farmer, because the reduction in rents is not even yet what it ought to be in view of the low price to which farm produce has fallen.

It was this condition of the landed and farming interests which brought to the village Rider Haggard, and it so happened that his visit occurred while the Annual Flower Show was in progress. Mr. Haggard has given up story writing for the present. He has called a halt to that fervid imagination out of which "She" was born, and is gathering facts od the prosaic subject of Agriculture. The author of "King Solomon's Mines," himself an English country gentleman, has conceived the notion that there is a mine of immeasurable wealth right at the doors of the English people, which they are not working as they should.

He is making observations in every county, and under the title, "Back to the Land," is writing articles for a London daily, the object of which i 3 to point out, if possible, what is the matter with the country districts and then indicate by what new laws and methods the present depressed condition of agriculture may be relieved. In taking alarm at the situation, Mr. Haggard has caught a fever which properly of late has become common over here, and in his bugle cry of "Back to the Land" he is unquestionably calling for a much needed reform. It isn't merely the predicament of farmers and landowners that is involved. With European navies ever on the increase, the danger of a blockade becomes more imminent, and that, under present conditions, as every one is wel! aware, would reduce the country to starvation within a few weeks.

But it's an ill wind, indeed, that doesn't bring good to some one, and it has seemed to me that good of a certain kind has already resulted from the pinch that has fallen upon the lords of English agriculture. They are not so prosperous as they were, neither are they so Independent and exclusive. The spirit of fraternity is abroad. In the country districts as in London one cannot help seeing that the rich and favored are in these days show- Ing themselves brothers to the poor and lowly. To get everything in order for that flower show involved no end of labor, and what an inspiriting sight it was to see the rough work of the early morning, when all the there to be arranged and numbered, carefully undertaken by those who are classed amongst the leading families.

The vicar was hard at it in his shirt sleeves. The village doctor and the schoolmaster and the leading farmer, who Is always an important personage, buckled down to work with as much zest as they afterward showed in disposing of the champagne that was passed around, and in all that was done that hot summer morning, the squire from the hall was as busy and sweaty and good natured and approachable as any man on the grounds. The residence of thla village notable stands far back from the road, embowered in foliage, surrounded by beautifully kept gardens, end is approached through an avenue of trees as tall and symmetrical as one could wish to see. On his mother's side this affable gentleman is blood-kin to Bulwer Lytton. He is 40 and a a fine catch for some enterprising American girl.

But, unfortunately, he hasn't a title, though a not distant ancestor had one. Through this titled progenitor a charity was instituted by which for all time the poor children of the village are to be clothed and otherwise helped. The boys and girls who share in this charity are always dressed In green. To keep up this charity and to maintain the other generoue traditions of his family, has been at times fully as much as the present squire was equal to, for, like other landed proprietors, his income has been reduced. But he is still the perfect gentleman, generous and hospitable to a fault.

He is always at church on Sunday, where he and his mother and sisters sit in a corner fenced off to themselves, surrounded by the mural effigies of their departed ancestors, and for the rest, he is just as unassuming when every second Monday he sits amongst the magistrates to administer Justice as when he lends a willing hand in the miscellaneous -work of the horticultural show. This gentleman spent some years "roughing it" in the United States and Canada. Many of the sons of country squires do this, and it does them good. In roughing it in America they themselves get smoothed down quite a little. They never after that put on quite so many airs, and, besides being more approachable, they are also more intelligent.

This reminds me how many in that English village have relatives on the other side of the big pond. Across from the little cottage in which the writer has spent so many happy days, is the village postofflce. It is kept by two estimable sisters, who have another sister in the United States, the wife of an Episcopal clergyman, un the same side, a litle further down, is one of the village public houses. It has been handed down from father to son for long years. Two out of that family are in America.

So one might go through the entire village, finding that the families do not have some representative near or remote seeking fortune under the stars and stripes are the small minority. But no influence from the new world and none of the modern improvements that are gradually creeping in can ever divest a village like this of its aspect of oldness or of the charm which far-stretching traditions give to it. We are in that part of England for which the Britons and Danes contended and not far from an immense dyke which was thrown up by the Romans as a defense against the Picts and Scote. The village church on the same spot 800 years and a part of the first building still stands. The surrounding grave yard has been buried in over and over again, and there are ghastly proofs that the graveyard formerly exceeded its present limits.

If not, why were several skulls turned up when they were excavating (for building purposes in the adjacent school yard? Everywhere the smoothest roads, the trimmest hedges, the 6tatliest trees. Short cuts, with intervening stiles, across fields redolent with the scent of ripening grain, vocal with bird socgs and gleaming here and there with the English affluence of wild flowers. Even the village police station is a beautiful least to look at. (Marvelous the passion of these slowblooded Anglo-Saxons for decorative gardening! One sees this everywhere at railway stations and one sees it no lees at village police stations. The police station in this village is a combination affair.

The front room is the magistrates 1 court. When court is In session the officers wear white gloves and all the business is dons on the same high level of decorum. When court is not in session the table of justice is radient with potted plants. Farther back is the residence of the district inspector, whose dignity and comfort are both greatly enhanced by the certainty that after a few more years of not very exciting service he will retire, as his predecessors have done, and as all policemen and constables do over here, on a comfortable pension. Between the court and the residential part of this hall of Justice two cells with walls so clean and beds so inviting and all conveniences so perfectly sanitary that the wonder is they are so seldom occupied.

But it is the outside rather than the inside that attracts you, after all. Here you find, in front and on either side, and stretching far into the rear those charming effects in ornamental shrubbery and tasteful flower beds for which the mind finds no counterpart save In Fairyland. What would be called the village green If it were green and had not a more historic name, is called, as if in mockery of its flatness, the Hill. But the full name is Stocks Hill, grimly suggestive of the time, not so very long ago, when scolds and shrews and drunkards and other misdemeanants were exposed to public scorn, some of them in cages and some with their fet held tightly in the public stocks. But such relics of a barbarous past disfigure village Hill no longer.

Its ordinary uses now are for a playground and once a year for the holding of a village feast. But when I was there at the Flower Showsomething else was afoot on Stocks Hill a very modern thing, and one which shows how, into all these English Tillages, with or without the consent of the village councils, modern Improvements are being Introduced. 'jlli MMm -v. I BBy' -V- a 11 1.