MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 3 
the Society of American Florists and Ornamental Horticul- 
turists. 
The backward spring, followed by a summer of unprece- 
dented drouth, entailed much additional work in order that 
outdoor display features be maintained in an attractive and 
presentable condition. Few people realize the difficulties in- 
volved in growing successfully the large number of plants and 
trees maintained at the Garden in spite of a combination of 
adverse atmospheric and climatic conditions which is not to 
be found in any other city where a similar garden is estab- 
lished. Years of experience have enabled us to grow plants, 
both in the greenhouses and out of doors, in spite of the un- 
favorable environment, but conditions are constantly growing 
worse, and there can be no question but that the difficulties 
of making a satisfactory display are considerably greater than 
they were ten years ago. 
The Federal Quarantine Act, which makes it so much more 
difficult and more expensive to obtain, from at home or abroad, 
plants for replacement, has forced the Garden to maintain 
very much larger reserve supplies. In consequence, the 
nursery has been considerably extended during the past year 
and the number of trees and hardy perennials, particularly 
roses, has been more than doubled. In fact, the ease and 
cheapness with which these plants could formerly be obtained 
made it unnecessary for the Garden to maintain a nursery 
of any extent, while at the present time it is becoming one of 
its most important departments. Seeds, which can still be 
obtained without much difficulty from foreign gardens and 
correspondents throughout the world, are now received in 
large quantities, and the number of seedlings grown from 
such sources exceeds by many times those formerly maintained. 
The usual displays of blooming plants have been arranged 
in the floral display house throughout the year, and the effect 
obtained has been as satisfactory as could be expected. The 
plan of establishing iris, daffodils, and other bulbous plants 
in the arboretum and similar tracts has been continued, and 
the spring display from these plants as they have become 
established is increasing in attractiveness every year. The 
wet spring and absence of early frosts made the autumn ap- 
pearance of the Garden a matter of special comment. The 
brilliant colored fruits of many trees and shrubs attained a 
perfection not seen in the city for a great many years. 
