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REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF PLANTS FOR. 1941 
To THE DIRECTOR: 
Herewith I submit my report for the year 1941: 
LILACS 
For a number of years I have been occupied with our numerous 
lilac varieties during their flowering time. A Guide to Lilacs 
in the Garden (Guide No. 12) was published in the July Botanic 
Garden Record. Mr. John C. Wister added a note on twenty-two 
additional varieties, Dr. Gager and Dr. Ernst Ohlsson wrote on 
lilac odors, Mr. Montague Free on Lilac Cultivation and Propa- 
gation, and Dr. George M. Reed on Insect Pests and Fungous 
Diseases. In my part, on Lilac Species and Varieties, they 
were classified in cighteen groups, four for the species, two for 
hybrids of species, two (singles and doubles) for white varieties 
of Syringa vulgaris, and ten groups for its colored varicties. 
Just what is the difference between ‘‘Bluish lilac,” ‘‘ Pinkish 
Lilac,” and just “‘Lilac’?) Mrs. McKelvey, in The Lilac (1928), 
has given detailed color notes, for example; Madame Antoine 
Buchner: “‘Tone pale; color in bud Deep Brownish Vinaccous to 
Purplish Vinaceous (XX XIX) to Laelia Pink (X XXVIII); when 
expanded Lacha Pink (XNNVIIT) on white without, Pale 
Lobelia Violet (XX XVII) on white within;” the figures refer to 
Ridgway’s Color Chart. Such distinctions are not easily remem- 
bered for a hundred varieties. Individual clusters change color 
greatly within a few days, Mr. Wister states that color also 
varies with climate. 
It would be a great aid in distinguishing varieties to have 
available a color chart on a single sheet. Perhaps fifteen or 
twenty colors, numbered, would suffice for most purposes; for 
any given plant the bud or the expanded flower could be assigned 
to its nearest color number. With color so uncertain, I have 
given some attention to lilac flower forms. <A. similar method 
was recently used by Mr. H. G. Seyler in the Farr Nursery 
Lilae List, 
