48 



and reference work which the library staff has been called upon 

 to do, especially for the outside public, has considerably increased. 

 The total number of printed pieces received is 5,777, of which 988 

 are books, 556 pamphlets, and 6,033 parts of publications. The 

 number of serial publications currently received in 598, an increase 

 of 69. The library is perhaps weakest in complete sets of serial 

 publications, and attention has been called above (p. 34) to the 

 need of funds for this purpose. 



Gifts to the library are acknowledged in Appendix 1 of this 

 report. 



Conservatories 



The attendance at the conservatories (24,455) shows an increase 

 °f 5455 over T 9 2I > which is practically the same as the last annual 

 increase. The evolution group in house No. 2 has been rear- 

 ranged in a way to increase its educational value, and the economic 

 house is visited by an increasing number of classes in nature 

 study, botany, and geography. The growth of the conservatory 

 collection practically ceased several years ago on account of lack 

 of room, but the collection is being maintained in an excellent 

 condition, and revised from time to time by the substitution of 

 new or educationally more valuable plants for those of less value. 

 Further growth will not be possible until new houses can be built. 



Plantations and Grounds 



The year's work included the usual annual maintenance, the 

 addition of 766 labels, the rearrangement of certain groups, the 

 preparation of a map of the general systematic section, and smaller 

 maps or plans of trees and shrubs; grading work, cspeciallv on 

 the North Addition, new planting, collections of seeds for ex- 

 change, and studies and collections of plants in the scientific 

 collection. 



A support of steel posts and wires was provided for the climb- 

 ing roses along the eastern edge of the children's garden, and the 

 monocotyledon area was laid out in accordance with new [dans 

 and most of the beds made, preparatory to the spring planting. 

 Full details of all work are given in the accompanying report of 

 the curator of plants and plantations. 



