44 
growing at the Garden, together with a brief statement offering 
cooperation with American growers of that fern. This circular 
stated the purpose of the Garden, not only to make a scientific 
study of the genus, but to conduct the investigation in a way to 
make it of value to American growers. An offer was made to 
exchange cuttings of our plants for those we did not have, and 
to answer any requests for information. Arrangements were 
also made to reprint and distribute to those interested, Dr. Bene- 
dict’s article on Nephrolepis, prepared for the Standard Cyclo- 
pedia of American Horticulture. The results of this work will 
not be fully realized until 1916, but already responses have begun 
to come in, and our collections will ultimately be thereby greatly 
enriched. 
Establishment of Research Fellowship—At its meeting of 
November 9, your Committee voted to establish the first research 
fellowship of the Garden. The purpose of this fellowship is to 
make possible a much needed survey of the diseases of the trees 
and shrubs of Prospect Park, with a view to a better understand- 
ing of the nature and causes of such diseases, and methods of 
prophylaxis and treatment. The expense of this fellowship is to 
be met from private funds, and the Commissioner of Parks has 
given his hearty approval and offer of cooperation. 
On November 24, Dr. W. H. Rankin, assistant professor in the 
New York State College of Agriculture, at Cornell University, 
was appointed to this fellowship. Professor Rankin plans to be 
‘in residence at the Garden during three summer months in 1916 
and 1917. 
The information obtained as a result of this survey will be 
placed freely at the disposal of the Department of Parks, and 
should yield results that will make it possible for the Garden to 
suggest remedial measures of much practical value. 
The establishment of this research fellowship should be re- 
garded as establishing a permanent policy at the Garden, and it 
is sincerely hoped that, as soon as may be, after the completion of 
our building insures adequate accommodations, funds may be- 
come available for the establishment (preferably by permanent 
endowment) of a number of such fellowships. 
In June, Prof. H. M. Fitzpatrick, of the department of plant 
