407 
Prof. L. R. Jones reported that the raising of oats in Vermont 
imported from localities affected with smut tended to decrease the 
percentage of the disease. ae mw 
Prof. N. L. Britton thought that the return of the oat to its na- 
tive environment—that being probably similar to the conditions in 
Vermont—might cause a reversion to its original healthy growth. 
Prof. B: T. Galloway was inclined to ascribe the decrease of 
smut in Vermont to conditions unfavorable to the germination of 
the sporidia. 
Prof. B. T. Galloway, Dr. E. F. Smith and Mr. G. H. Hicks 
reported on the use of formaline as.a preserving fluid, stating that 
in a 1 per cent. solution it is cheaper than alcohol, and for a period 
of several months, while it has been in use, it has preserved the 
colors of persistent leaves, fleshy fungi, and fruits much better than 
alcohol. 
Prof. J. M. Coulter then called for the report of the Committee 
charged with the preparation of a check-list of Northeastern 
American plants. 
Prof. N. L. Britton, Chairman of the Committee, reported that 
about two-thirds of the list was already printed and that the re- 
mainder would be printed as soon as possible. The delay 
in completing the project was due to the great amount of time 
required in verifying references, The Editor of the Torrey Bo- 
tanieal Club had offered to print the list as one of its Memoirs, 
and the offer had been accepted by the Committee as the 
Most practicable means that’ had presented itself. The regular 
Price of the Mrmorrs is $3.00 per volume, but this volume would © 
be given to subscribers to a list now before the Club for $1.00. 
After the subscribers had been supplied the price would be raised 
to $3.00. The subscription list would be kept open until the work 
is issued. The report was accepted and the committee continued 
to complete the check-list. | ak 
Prof. C. E. Bessey suggested a board or cloth binding. Dr. 
Britton stated that the volume would consist of about 400 printed 
Pages and bound in cloth would ‘cost about $1.25 to subscribers. 
After considerable discussion it was finally understood that sub- — 
Scribers were to have a choice of bound and unbound copies, the 
unbound to cost $1.00 and the bound $1.25. 
