122 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1930 



structioii of intitruments for this purpose was more or less indefi- 

 nitely iDOsti^oned for lack of funds and shop facilities as well as 

 laboratory staff. Arrangements for meeting this situation were 

 finally completed toward the end of the fiscal year. 



In such an undertaking of border-line investigation, it is not sur- 

 prising that cooperation should have become a matter of unusual 

 importance. Not onl}^ is the division cooperating closely with the 

 University of Maryland in the plant physiological side, with the 

 Fixed Nitrogen Laboratory in the molecular structure work, with 

 the Research Corporation in instrumental development, but also, in 

 a large degree Avitli other bureaus of the Department of Agriculture. 

 Extensive plans have been developed, and something over $1,800 

 api3ropriated by the Department of Agriculture for investigation 

 of the effect of various radiation conditions upon the rooting of Citrus 

 fruits and the growth of date palms. This work is under the spon- 

 sorship and cooperative direction of Doctor Swingle. It is proposed 

 to complete the second group of four individual growth chambers 

 for that purpose. 



PERSONNEL 



During the fiscal year the personnel was as follows : 



Research associate iu charge, Dr. F. S. Brackett. 



Consulting plant physiologist, Dr. Earl S. Johnston, 



Research assistant, L. B. Clark. 



Research assistant assigned by Astrophysical Observatory, W. 11. Hoover. 



SUMMARY 



A well balanced and efficient laboratory has been developed. The 

 essential nucleus of a staff has been assembled. An experiment in 

 each of the main fields has been carried through to completion with 

 interesting results. Essential cooperations of a nmtually profitable 

 character have been established. Foundations have been laid for 

 extensive investigations of importance in the fields of biophysics 

 and molecular structure. Preparations have been made for making 

 generally available specialized instruments developed by the division. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



F. S. Brackett, 

 Research Associate in Hharge. 

 Dr. C. G. Abbot, 



Secretary^ Smitlisonian Institution. 



