REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 117 



extensive reconstruction of the laboratory space was finiilly coiiqiK'ted 

 toward the end of February, 11);]0. 



The detailed appointment and equipment of the laboratory proved 

 to be a tremendous undortakinp:, particularly so, because of the 

 border-line character of the pr()i)()scd invcsti<^ali<)ns. Although the 

 laboratory is not unusually lar<re, i)rovision had to be made for 

 phj'sical, chemical, and biological fields of experimentation. By the 

 middle of Jul}' the volume of correspondence involved was such as 

 to require the whole time of a stenographer, thus leading to the 

 employment of Miss Stanley. Mr. Claik^ who joined the staff 

 August 1, was of the greatest assistance in the selection of equij)ment, 

 because of his wide experience in technical fields. During the entire 

 year, a very large part of the director's time was devoted to this 

 phase of the work. 



INITIATION OK KXri'KIMKNTS 



In spite of the construction work which was continuously in prog- 

 ress, steps were immediately taken toward beginning experimental 

 work. 



PLANT OnoAVTII EXI'KRIMENTS 



Arrangem«>nts were made with Mar3'land University for Doctor 

 Johnston, plant physiologist, to serve in consulting capacity, spending 

 three one-half days a week at the Smithsonian. In collaboration 

 with Doctor Johnston, plans were drawn up for a large pre- 

 conditioning chamber in which i)lan(s could be grown where the 

 individual plants would be under identical conditions, and, at the 

 same time, the humidity and temperature held at a definite point. 

 Plans were also drawn up for intlividual giowth chambers to be 

 mounted in two groups of four. These small growth chambers were 

 to be water-cooled and gas-tight, so as to permit of the rigid control of 

 the atmospheric ctm-tituents, as well as temperature and humidity. 

 Windows were introduced for both lateral and overhead illumination. 

 The bases were equipped with adapters for gas-tight connection be- 

 tween the chamber and Mason jars for the nutrient solutions. As the 

 division had no shop facilities, beyond such work as could be cari'ied 

 out as an accomtnodation through the courtesy of the National Mu- 

 seum and the Astrophysical Observatory, most of the construction 

 had to be arranged for with private concerns. With the growth cham- 

 bers themselves conqileted. the extensive development of ai)paratus 

 for supply and control had to be suspended in March. 10;K), for hick 

 of funds. Near the end of the year, in anticipation of new funds on 

 July 1, orders were placed for manifold systems ;md other equipiu'-nt 

 required in completing the first set of four chambers. 

 28095—31 



