45 
is open to the public free daily, except Sundays and _ holidays. 
While the collection of over 9,800 books and over 6,600 pamphlets 
has been built up primarily with reference to use in connection 
with the botanic garden (in conformity with the Agreement above 
cited), the needs of the scientific and lay public have been kept 
constantly in mind, and the number of readers steadily increases. 
The 709 technical and popular or semi-popular periodical publi- 
cations that were being received at the close of the year, dealing 
with plant life or closely related subjects, is an increase of 111 
over a year ago. This is an increase of nearly 19 per cent. over 
1922 and of nearly 21 per cent. over 1921. 
The number of books has increased during 1923 by over 14 
per cent. and the number of pamphlets by 10 per cent. 
The library is now in need of increased shelving and of a 
much larger fund to provide, not only for purchases and sub- 
scriptions, but also for the annual binding. Counting 10,434 
parts of publications, 1,219 books, and 629 pamphlets, there were 
received during the year 12,282 pieces of printed matter (1,000 
per month), as against 7,577 pieces received a year ago. This 
increase, which will continue during 1924, combined with the in- 
creasing number of readers to be served, indicates the need of 
more assistance. 
Herbaria 
Phanerogamic.—The appended report of the curator of plants 
and plantations records a total of 2,191 specimens added to the 
herbarium of flowering plants and ferns. These have all been 
obtained by gift, exchange, or collection. Special attention is 
called to the curator’s comment that no money has been available 
for the purchase of specimens during the past two years. 
Cryptogamic.—Accessions of 2,168 specimens are reported by 
the curator in charge of this section of the herbarium. Of these, 
1,312 were specimens of fungi, and 856 specimens of algae, 
lichens, liverworts and mosses. The lack of adequate herbarium 
assistance, to which the curator calls attention, is a serious ob- 
stacle to the proper cate and fullest utilization of this valuable 
collection 
The total number of specimens in both herbaria exceeds 231,000. 
