Walter Deane (1848-1930) Papers; Journal Jan-Dec 1901. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

5 Cambridge, Mass. 1901 April 14

Since my last entry of March 24, spring has been very slowly asserting itself. Most all the time the weather has been cold and chilly. For nearly two weeks past the sun has been invisible, heavy rains following cloudy days and it was a joy to wake up on April 12 and find a cloudless sky. Since then the weather has been glorious. The buds are swelling, and the elms look as if they soon would open out their leaves. Yesterday, the 13th, the Hepaticas were in bloom in the garden (Will Brewster's garden) and this morning I counted twenty little clusters of them, varying in color from white to purple. The Crocuses, Quills and Snow Drops by the Museum door have been in flower for some time, but it is only during the past three days, that under the influence of the bright sun, they have made a really beautifully display.

Friday, the 12th, I took a short drive with David into Belmont. At Kingsley Park I saw my first spring [First butterfly Antiopa] butterflies Antiopa, three or four specimens gaily dancing about in a bright sunny spot. This morning, in the garden I saw Milberti alight on [Milberti] a Crocus flower. It darted off on my approach. Last spring I captured one in the garden — On __ in the apple orchard through which the Parkway runs just north of Brattle Street a few [Tree Sparrows in full song.] rods. I heard a merry flock of Tree Sparrows in full song as they darted after each other from tree to tree. It was a rich melody — I saw my last Shrike on April 10 by the Cambridge [Shrike on April 10.] Hospital near Charles River. Two Fox Sparrows were in the garden in April, and I heard one of them sing several times.

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ME JUDICE

"Mr. Walter Deane informs me that in his youth he was familiar with Old Orchard Beach, and that at that time this Artemisia (A. stelleriana) [Artemisia stelleriana] was not seen. Fernald, Rhodora 11.39.

In the youth of Walter Deane, in those glorious ancient days, Foreign plants had not crept in with insinuating ways. Every plant was then our own from each rootlet tip so small And the old world floral tramps did not cut a dash at all; - All our plants were indigene In the youth of Walter Deane

In the youth of Walter Deane, gardens were not hard to weed; Our plants were too polite to promiscously seed, And profanity produce. Foreign weeds grew only then In ash barrels far remote, — rarities were they to men. Shepherd's-purse grew not, I ween, In the youth of Walter Deane.

Little Walter on the wharves used to sit from day to day, Waiting for the ships to bring plants from lands so far away, Dandelions, buttercups, whiteweed, chickweed, — all were new, — With a thousand other things, well known plants to me and you. These, remember, were first seen, Since the youth of Walter Deane.

Long ago those days have fled. Walter to a man has grown, All the floras of the world now contribute to our own. Yet confusion cant arise, all new comers one by one Have been noted by our friend since their inroad first begun; So we know what's indigene From the youth of Walter Deane.

Written By Edw. {Edward} L. Rand.

Read by E. F. Williams at the supper after the meeting of the New England Botanical Club, on Friday evening, April 5, 1901. The joke is that Fernald through some mistake, made an entirely false statement. I never was at Old Orchard Beach till I was a man, and then only once, and before I knew anything about plants.

Walter Deane, April 14, 1901.

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A Counter-blast. ---:::" ":::---

At the birth of E. L. Rand, There was joy in the land, 'Twas obvious to all That he received a call — By some peculiar mode To straighten out the Code. And often has he since Made even Britton wince. In much the usual way, He studied, we've heard say, But while he loved a plant, No place he had for cant. This counsellor by trade — A botanist was made — Him. when we found a Club, We Secretary — dub, And as he is no shirk We make him do the work. We think it rather mean That he should light on Deane— And in his verses sung "When Walter Deane was young". This little would imply — What we at once deny — Viz: Walter should grow old, That youth so brave and bold, He cannot us deceive; No word do we believe — Nor can he e'er forbid That we should call him Kid.

W. W. Bailey.

Easter Sunday, April 7, 1901.

Some Providence member of our Club told Bailey who was not present, about Rand's poem. Bailey immediately wrote the above and sent it to me.

Walter Deane, April 14, 1901.

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BROWN UNIVERSITY PROVIDENCE

A Counter-blast

At the birth of E. L. Rand, There was joy in the land, 'Twas obvious to all That he received a call — By some peculiar mode To straighten out the Code. And often has he since Made even Britton wince. In much the usual way — He studied, we've heard say — But while he loved a plant, No place he had for cant. This counsellor by trade A botanist was made Him, when we found a Club, We Secretary — dub, And as he is no shirk We make him do the work.

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We think it rather mean That he should light on Deane — And in his verses sung "When Walter Deane was young". This little would imply — What we at once deny — Viz: Walter should grow old, That youth so brave and bold, He cannot us deceive; No word do we believe — Nor can he e'er forbid That we should call him Kid.

W. W. B.

Easter Sunday, April 7, 1901.