70 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
production in the corn belt. On account of this excessive tem- 
perature, often 100° F. or more at the surface of the eround, 
the plant becomes devitalized. One series of experiments has 
to do with cultural methods dealing with the control of soil 
temperature. 
In this work the investigator may meet with a few suc- 
cesses, and is likely to meet with many failures. However, this 
fact merely challenges him to a greater effort, and the rewards 
are all the more worth while when they do come. 
A. T. ERWIN, 
Chief in Truck Crops, Iowa Experiment Station. 
PHASES OF LANDSCAPE WORK IN 
PORTLAND, OREGON 
Presumably what would be of interest in my career to Gar- 
den pupils are the phases of professional and executive work 
in landscape development in the West. 
In 1908 I arrived in Portland immediately after the elec- 
torate authorized a million dollar bond issue for park exten-. 
sion. The prosperity wave which commenced to extend over 
the entire nation in 1904 and 1905, influenced Portland and 
caused her to share in the accelerated vigor of progress, 
peculiar especially to the Pacific coast which was experiencing 
an enormous increase in population. The American. people 
show a constant trend of immigration westward, and the am- 
bitious, virile spirit of youth anxious to better itself, is felt in 
the main body of inflow to these coast cities. The hardihood 
of the early pioneer who braved the hostile Indians and the 
hardships of the frontier is still a distinguishing mark of the 
new arrival to-day, although he comes to a more settled and 
cosmopolitan community. The boundless optimism, the 
courage and enterprise which typify the social body must be 
seen to be fully appreciated. They are demonstrated by the 
rearing in a few short years of a new and better San Francisco 
on the ashes and ruins of a devastated city ; they transform an 
arid waste into a national playground of beauty, culture, and 
happy living at Los Angeles; and they build factories, ship 
the products of a vast surrounding region, and distribute roses 
broadcast at Portland. 
Into this feverishly active, buoyant, and aggressive com- 
munity I came in 1908 to assume responsibility for its public 
parks and the future of their development. Generously and 
loyally supported by successive park boards (and often bit- 
terly assailed by private individuals and a part of the press), 
it has been a pleasure to plan and execute in a virgin field ina 
