34 
The programs and dedication addresses were published in the 
Botanic Garden Recorp for July, 1917. 
I cannot refrain from expressing to the Committee the sincere 
appreciation of the director and staff of the unlimited freedom 
we enjoyed in planning the buildings, not only in their genera 
features, but in the details of floor plan and equipment. We 
labored under no restrictions within the limits of architectural 
demands and financial resources, and if the buildings are not, in 
the fullest measure, adapted to the work of the Garden as now 
planned and organized, the fault cannot be attributed to super- 
imposed limitations. 
On March 17, we moved the Garden offices from the tempor- 
ary quarters in the first section, which we had occupied for three 
and a half years, or since September 25, 1913. The terazzo floor 
was not then laid in the corridors, and much of the interior finish 
was still to be done. On April 10 the Governing Committee held 
its first meeting in the new building in the director’s office. 
poe 
Significance of the Completed Buildings 
The urgent need of the completed buildings was set forth in 
my annual report for 1914, and was also reviewed in the several 
dedication addresses—how the attendance at our classes and lec- 
tures had entirely outgrown the limited capacity of the first sec- 
tion, completed in 1913; how our scientific collections could no 
longer be accommodated so as to be accessible and usable; and 
how the members of staff, in various ways, were not able to 
render to the Garden their full measure of service. It is not 
necessary to review the situation here in detail, nor is there in- 
clination to do so, for our faces and our thoughts are forward to 
the wider opportunities and the larger privileges and accomplish- 
ments of the future. 
What the completion of the buildings has meant and is to mean 
is nowhere better reflected than in the large increase in attend- 
ance at every Garden activity during 1917. In comparison with 
1916, the’figures are as follows: 
