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thirty-nine gardens were inspected, varying in size from one hun- 
dred square feet to twenty-two acres, and located in all parts of 
the Borough, from-East River to Coney Island and from Brooklyn 
Heights to Brownsville. 
We also served as the center and agency for the distribution of 
seed potatoes for Brooklyn. The potatoes were supplied by Mr. 
M. Maurice Eckstein, Supervisor of Purchases, of the United 
Fruit Co., at the cost price of $2.83 a bushel, while the price in 
local retail markets fluctuated around $4. One hundred and 
forty-eight bushels were distributed. 
Cooperation with the Federal Government—From November 
14 to December 4, laboratory facilities were afforded to Dr. 
George K. K. Link, who was investigating the storage and transit 
diseases of fruits and vegetables of the newly established Bureau 
of Markets, of the United States Department of Agriculture. 
Demonstrations of Canning.—There have been two demonstra- 
tions of canning vegetables held in our laboratories. The first, 
on July 27, was before the Flatbush Garden League and our own 
students. The second, on September 18, was primarily for our 
own students. The general public was invited to both. 
Shortage of Coal—In anticipation of a possible shortage of 
coal during the winter of 1917-18, about 241 tons of pea coal 
were stored in the yard between the building and Washington 
Ave., in addition to about 225 tons, which is the approximate 
capacity of the coal cellar. The total normal consumption is 
about 800 tons a year. During most of December only one half 
of the laboratory building was heated. 
Employees in the National Service-—One of our laboring 
force enlisted in the National Guard, and one of the gardeners 
was drafted into the National Army during the fall. Nearly all 
of our employees have been above the draft age. 
Public Appreciation and Response 
Does the public appreciate its museums, art galleries, zoological 
parks, and botanic gardens in general, and in particular, does the 
Brooklyn public appreciate the Brooklyn Botanic Garden? “I 
suppose,” wrote a somewhat skeptical correspondent in a re- 
