34 
of the vegetation of Long Island has also been initiated during 
the year by the curator of plants. 
Researches in experimental evolution and heredity have been 
carried on by the curator of plant breeding, and studies in plant 
pathology by the curator of public instruction. 
The laboratory assistant, under the supervision of the curator 
of public instruction, has prosecuted studies of the slime moulds 
(Myxomycetes), resulting in a substantial contribution to our 
nowledge of their life history, and he has also made investiga- 
tions of diseases of the potato. In this connection, he was granted 
leave of absence from the Garden from April 4 to October 1, 
spending this period with one of the larger and more progressive 
growers in Aroostook county, Maine. The potato crop in this 
county was about twenty-five million bushels last year, and ship- 
ments from there supply a large part of the seed tubers for the 
eastern United States, as far south as the Gulf states. The dis- 
covery of “powdery scab,” a serious and recently imported dis- 
ease of the potato, causing large financial loss, has been followed 
by thorough investigations by both the State and the Federal De- 
partments of Agriculture, with the hearty cooperation of the 
growers. The situation offered excellent opportunities for an in- 
vestigation of the nature and methods of eradication of the disease. 
Publications of the Garden 
Record.—The four quarterly issues, comprising volume three, 
contained 142 pages—two pages more than during 1913. It has 
not been possible to increase the frequency of issue of the REcorD 
to bi-monthly, as recommended in the preceding annual report, 
but the situation fully justifies.this, and it should be accomplished 
as soon as circumstances will permit. 
Contributions—One number of the Contributions (No. 8) 
appeared during I914. 
Leaflets —The Second Series of the Leaflets comprised 12 
numbers, appearing at weekly and bi-weekly intervals from April 
1 to October 21. As a new nora aces numbers were issued 
as a special “Children’s Number,” or “Arbor Day Number..” 
The mailing list has steadily grown, and the publication goes to 
several states besides New York. 
