64 
The field for this work is very large, and it is evidently of 
great value to the schools, enriching their text book study by 
plants and plant materials which they could otherwise obtain only 
with difficulty, if at all. I feel that we are just beginning -to 
realize its possibilities, and yet without additional equipment, 
particularly an additional greenhouse, the limit of our facilities 
will soon be reached. 
Classes and Attendance 
The training course for gardeners, in which we are cooperating 
with the U. S. Veterans Bureau, continues in operation, the major 
part of the instruction being given by Mr. Free, assisted by Dr. 
Gundersen, Dr. White, Mr. Stoll, and myself. 
The total attendance this year at all our classes and lectures 
was 99,259, an increase of more than 25 per cent. over last year, 
which was itself an increase of nearly 25 per cent. over the year 
before. This increase may well continue in the future, but it is 
doubtful whether it can go on at the same rate, hampered as we 
are by insufficient funds for publicity, lectures, and instruction. 
The attendance at the Garden, as shown by registration at the 
entrance gates, was 408,520, the largest figure in the Garden’s 
history, if we except 1917, when, on account of the war, interest 
in vegetable crops and gardening was greatly stimulated. The 
following table shows the attendance and registration for 1923: 
TABLE I 
ATTENDANCE AT THE GARDEN DURING 1923 
Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | June | July 
Rice GlASSESi7 i ee 751} I,041] 1,970] 1,836] 2,133] 1,281] 4,065 
rv visiting classes.......... 419 592 212) 7, L20] LE 7AGeLO. 510 oO 
At lectures to children....... 145 234 20] 3,347) 25335) 25747 fe) 
At lectures to adults........ to) 60 0} 1,630 310 (a) fe) 
At conservatories........,.. 720 754| 1,336] 1,344] 3,288) 1,772] 1,851 
Total registration at gates. . .| 10,790] 12,480] 23,774| 36,709] 65,263] 59,364] 33,500 
Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |Annual Totals 
At regular classes........... 4,950] 2,568] 2,075] 1,498] 1,542 25,710 
At visiting classes........... to) 120] 10,847] 9,586] 1,980 53,132 
At lectures to children....... to) 205| 4,287] 3,586] 1,090 18,096 
At lectures to adults........ fe) oO 251 70 ro) 2,321 
At conservatories........... 1,579| 1,909} 2,403] 2,042] 1,408 20,415 
es 
Total registration at gates....| 44,991 40,845] 29,334| 34,013] 17,457 408,520 
