On October 11, 1906, the Sem Bot celebrated its twentieth anniversary. An article appeared in Science in December (Volume 4, Issue 101, pp. 822-825) describing the successful organization and its history. At the celebration, C.E. Bessey gave a speech, wherein he addressed the purposes behind the Sem Bot. Although the full text of the speech was not transcribed, his notes remain:

"Canis Pie & Meristem: 2 very important things--"

 

1. Canis Pie

    Contributes to bodily support, giving strength, tone, vigor.

    Made of vegetable & animal, i.e. Biological

    Always a:

    --mixture

    --mystery

    The Eater is an investigator.

 

2. Meristem

    --is growing

    --may develop

    --may change

    --may take new ideas

    --is not fixed

    --Meristem is youth

    --Permanent tissue is Old Age

    --Be Ever Young

    --Don't grow old

    To sum up: "Keep yourselves so that you may grow, and not become fixed. Keep an abundance of mental meristem, and avoid acquiring too much permanent tissue. Have a bias for the new and untried."

Dr. Clements also gave a speech, warning botanists that as the field expanded and developed, the method of research would shift. He noted that laboratory work would soon become secondary to field work, and the shift of emphasis would require changes in teaching style, instruments, base stations, and the construction of greenhouses rather than laboratories. Clements' foreshadowing of the future of botany also applied to the future of the Sem Bot.