36 
issued, and about 3,000 copies were called for. These figures 
have added significance in view of the fact that the extra copies 
were not distributed broadcast, regardless of demand, but were 
given only to persons who asked for a copy. In other words the 
number of copies distributed is a measure of the number of in- 
terested persons who were reached. 
Gardening Class for Older Boys—One of the chief obstacles, 
if not the chief one, to increased food production on farms is 
the scarcity of competent help. Early in the spring various 
movements were inaugurated for getting city boys, of high- 
school age or thereabouts, onto farms, but their almost entire 
ignorance of farm practices proved a nearly insuperable handi- 
cap. As our “bit” toward the solution of this problem we laid 
out 23 individual plots of 20 ft. & 40 ft., and announced in all the 
high schools of the Borough, a course of instruction for older boys 
(sixteen to eighteen years of age). Twenty boys took advantage 
of this course. The remaining three plots were cultivated by two 
high-school teachers and one of our own men who acted as in- 
structor of the boys. 
Gardens for Employees and Policemen.—The area above re- 
ferred to, east of the brook, was planted to potatoes, and, in addi- 
tion, 13 plots, 20 ft. X 4o ft. were assigned to our own em- 
ployees; and a large area between the Museum and the reservoir 
to members of the uniformed police force, in both cases for 
cultivation outside of regular hours, 
e total number of individual gardens cultivated on our 
grounds by children and adults was 427. 
We also plowed and cooperated in the fertilizing of about an 
acre south of the Museum (the site of the future sections of that 
building). This was cultivated by Museum employees, and the 
top soil will eventually become available for the Botanic Garden. 
Cooperation with Mayor Mitchel’s Committee on Food Supply. 
—In cooperation with this committee the Garden offered the 
entire time of an expert gardener to inspect vacant lots and othex 
parcels of land, and to give advice on planting to individuals and 
groups. This was made possible by a gift from the chairman 
of the Governing Committee of the Garden. One hundred and 
