Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-21
PRESIDENT is STRONG
ON STUDY OF BOTANY
MASTERS THE WHOLE SCIENCE
IN TWO WEEKS
Finishes, with ornithoIoey and Will
Next Take Up the Study
of Bugs-Deeply In-
terested

| OYSTER BAY, N. Y, Aug. 2o.-Havine
mastered the science of ornithology, the
president. according to one who has seen
him lately, is pushing his inquiries into
nature study still further, and is just
now deep in the science of botany. The
! president is said to be enjoying the diver
sion heartily Armed with little tin box
and a trowel he sallies out several times
a week, accompanied usually by Archie
or Quinten, or some of their boy friends,
and explores the neighboring woods and
fields of his estate, for all kinds OF botan-
ical specimens.
Although he began the study only two
weeks ago, the president is said to nave
mastered it completely, so that he can
dissect any of the hundred or so different
kinds of flowers that grow on the north
shore of Long Island, and tell all about
them. The botanical excursions OF the
president and his boys often take on the
character of lecture. Having discovered
some rare specimen Mr.. Roosevelt pro-
ceeds to dissect it then and there and to
give a talk upon nature study, often to
an audience of several youngsters.
While the sport of hunting wild flow
ers is tame compared to the strenuous
activity of the president along the lines
of hunting big game, he is reported to
have said that 1t was a very meditatfve
pursuit and exceedingly conducive to
thoughtfulness. In his roaming the presi-
dent seldom or never ventures off his own
property or that of his cousin, Emlen
Roosevelt, who owns many broad acres
adjacent to Sycamore Hill, so that he
is always under the espionage of secret
service men. He takes no chances of
meeting any outsiders, but one day
farm hand employed by Emlen Roose-
welt came face to face with the presi-
dent while the latter was in the act of
digging up a flower. At first the farm
hand thought he was an intruder, and
was about to order him off the place, but
suddenly becoming conscious of the fact
that the nature student was the presi-
dent of the United States he beat a
hasty retreat and did not even attempt
to pass the time of day.
Yearns Now for Bugs
The president by no means has gwen
up entirely the study of birds. Armed
with an inoffensive pair of field glasses
and a bird book, he often spends hours
tracing some elusive bird call or some
puzzling bit of plumage that defies class
ifcation. Naturalist John Burroughs, the
presidents great friend, is said to be
kinds of nature study. Mr.. Burroughs has
not been at Sycamore Hill this summer
as yet, and his instructions, 1t is under
stood, are entirely by mail.
The next study the president will take
up, it is said, will be that of bugs and
insects.
The presidents manner of spending his
vacation is an endless topic of interest
to the villagers of oyster Bay. They dis
cuss it as interestedly as they do any
great national problem. At the Octagon
hotel the other night some one mentioned
the fact that Teddy was going to take up
the study of bugs.
whats that?" asked Doc Summers, in
credulously.
Hes going to study bugs" repeated
the informant.
"Well." said Doc. with excessive adj
miration, Teddy is a brave man, but
he's got courage If he is going to tackle
crazy people. What will the secret service
men do for job now, If they are not to
be allowed to keep the bugs away?"