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Department of Public Instruction 
Attendance-—Our work of elementary instruction, especially 
with children and young people, increases in amount and im- 
proves in quality each year; best of all, it increases without the 
need of special effort on our part. Over 2,600 persons have reg- 
istered in regular Garden classes during the year, with a total 
attendance of over 14,000, as against 9,100 in 1915; an increase 
of 4,900. Over 8,500 pupils of local schools have visited the 
Garden in classes accompanied by their teachers, an increase of 
more than 1,900 over 1915. Each of these classes has been given 
individual attention, and often, in the case of large groups, the 
class has been handled in sections, thus insuring more individual 
attention to each pupil. Sixty-eight extra-mural addresses and 
talks have been given to audiences totaling 18,000. Our work of 
public instruction has, during the year, reached a grand total of 
more than 40,000 persons. 
Children’s Gardens ——The children’s gardens were opened on 
their new and permanent site at the southern end of the grounds 
on May 6. 
Children’s Horticultural Exhibit—The third annual children’s 
horticultural exhibit was held on September 29 and 30, and while 
the epidemic of infant paralysis resulted in a somewhat smaller 
exhibit than in 1915, there was a marked improvement in quality. 
A full account of this event may be found in the Garden REcorp 
for October. 
Penny Packets of Seeds—Over 111,000 packets of vegetable 
and flower seeds were supplied to Brooklyn children last spring, 
an increase of about 25,000 over IQI5. 
Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs —The organization of a Boys’ Club on 
April 15, and of a Girls’ Club one week later has already been 
noted in the Recorp. The movement to organize these clubs 
originated spontaneously with the boys and girls, but has received 
careful guidance and every encouragement from the department 
of public instruction. The membership of the Boys’ Club has 
increased from 150 to 500, and that of the Girls’ Club from 100 
to 400. 
Needs.—The most pressing needs in connection with our work 
of public education will be met next year by the completion of our 
