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of June 7. Brief addresses were made by Dr. Gustave Strauben- 
muller, associate city superintendent of schools of New York 
City, and president of the association, by the director of the 
Garden, and by Mr. Charles Lathrop Pack, President of the 
National War Garden Commission. A special exhibit of books 
on gardening was prepared by the Librarian, the exhibit of paint- 
ings of California wild flowers was open to view, and tea was 
served by the department of public instruction. After the tea, 
the members and guests made an inspection of the plantations 
under guidance of members of staff. 
A full list of meetings of outside organizations held at the 
Garden during the year is given on page ooo. 
Extra Mural Activities —The outside demands on the Botanic 
Garden for botanical information, gardening advice, inspection of 
plants, lawns, soil, and gardens, and for lectures and addresses 
steadily increases, and has reached our full capacity to respond. 
The outside addresses during April and May averaged one for 
every two days. The attendance at these addresses and talks 
has totaled over 17,600 for the year. 
iservatories Reopened —Owing to the coal shortage during 
the winter of 1917-18, and the injury to our conservatory plants 
resulting therefrom, it was not found feasible to open the con- 
servatories to the public during 1918. The plants having re- 
covered in a measure, and a sufficient supply of coal being as- 
sured, the conservatories were reopened to the public on Sunday, 
February 9. 
Investigations 
Cooperation with the Federal Government.—Dr. F. C. Meier, 
and Mr, E. D. Eddy, of the Bureau of Markets, U. S. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, have continued in the Garden laboratories 
their study of the diseases of transit and storage of fruits and 
vegetables in the markets of Greater New York. The Botanic 
Garden has profited in many ways by having this work centered 
at our laboratories. Dr. E. W. Olive and Dr, O. E. White have 
both spent a portion of their vacation this sumer in plant disease 
survey work for the Federal Government. Dr. Olive’s work 
being on the potato wart disease, and Dr. White’s on the rust 
disease of cereals and grasses. 
