82 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Althoufrh the Smithsonian InHtitutiou has always been responsible for the admin- 

 istration of this herbarium, it was for many years relieved of the care and expense 

 of this work by the Department of Agriculture. In the fall of 1894, however, the 

 present Secretary, finding himself unable to give it proper accommodation, and also 

 thinking it miglit sufter destruction if kept longer in a building which is not fire- 

 proof, requested the Secretary of this Institution to resume its direct custody; 

 promising, however, that so long as funds should be available for the purpose in 

 tlie hands of the Department of Agriculture, he would bo responsible for its support 

 and maintenance. 



Tlu' value of the collection was so great that the Secretary did not feel at liberty 

 to refuse to receive it, and it was at once transferred, although at a very great 

 inconvenience, since our Museum building is so crowded that several of its depart- 

 ments were seriously discommoded by the change. 



From that time until now the herbarium has been maintained from the appropri- 

 ation of the Department of Agriculture; but the appropriation for botanical work 

 has been so much decreased by the present Congress, that, as I am informed, this 

 can no longer be done. 



The Secretary of Agriculture has already addressed a letter to you, calling your 

 attention to this fact, and suggesting that the sum of $10,000, which was withdrawn 

 from his a])propriation, be added to our appropriation, "for the preservation and 

 increase of the c(dlections in the National Museum," in order to provide for the util- 

 ization of this great collection of plants. 



I need scarcely say to you that the collection is of special imjjortance to the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, and is necessarily in constant use by many of its staft". 



Should this addition to our appropriations not be made, I do not see how it is pos- 

 sible to do more for the herbarium than simplj^ to preserve it from destruction. It 

 can not be kept in such shape that it will be conveniently available for reference; 

 it can not be increased in order to keep pace with the growth of botanical knowl- 

 edge and the necessities of American botanists and of the Department of Agricul- 

 ture. Nothing can be done with the great amount of material which is already on 

 hand, which requires special treatment for its preservation and utilization. It will 

 also be impossible to carry on the system of exchange, long practiced, by which not 

 only the National Herbarium but all the herbariums of the country are constantly 

 benefited. 



Should the sum of $10,000 be provided, it would be utilized in the first place by 

 the retention of the staft' of skilled assistants, clerks, and preparators already 

 engaged upon this work and now on the rolls of the Department of Agriculture. 

 The direct charge of the herbarium would be, as now, in the hands of the Botanist 

 of the Department of Agriculture, who, by permission of the Secretary of Agricul- 

 ture, serves in this capacity without compensation, with the title of honorary cura- 

 tor in the National Museum. There are also two skilled assistants, one at $1,800 

 and one at $1,200, and it is desired to add another at $1,500 to take charge of the 

 collection of cryptogamic plants. There is also a typewriter and clerk at $900, one 

 preparator at $720 and three at $600, making in all $7,920. 



Supplies and materials for preservation cost annually about $1,000, about $800 of 

 this sum being required for the purchase of paper for mounting and covers. 



A certain sum is required each year for the acquisition of new material, the types 

 of new investigations, and the results of explorations of the year. For this a sum 

 of about $7r>0 is required. This would leave a contingent sum of $330. 



Should the desired sum be granted, it will bepossilde to maintain this vast collec- 

 tion, which is of much importance to botanical science, in a manner befitting the 

 dignity of the nation. 



I am, sir, with great respect, G. Brown Goode, 



Acting Secretary, 



