

BI5) 
Cooperation with the New York City Board of Health.— 
During July the Garden furnished to the Brooklyn Branch of 
the Department of Health mounted specimens of the poison 
ivy, and also of the Virginia creeper for comparison, to be used 
in the six district offices of the department for purposes of iden- 
tification. It is proposed by the Department to take measures 
to eliminate, as far as practicable, not only poison ivy, but also 
the great ragweed, the pollen of which is regarded as an impor- 
tant contributing factor in causing hay-fever. In connection 
with the latter the Garden has also supplied the Borough offices 
of the Health Department with herbarium specimens of the rag- 
weed, both the form with incised leaves (Ambrosia trifida) and 
the entire leaved form (Ambrosia trifida var. integrifolia). The 
Department was also supplied for distribution with a quantity 
of the Botanic Garden Leaflets on treatment of poison ivy pot- 
soning. In October mounted herbarium specimens of the jim- 
son weed (Datura Stramonium) were furnished for similar use. 
. Cases of serious poisoning, especially of children, by eating por- 
tions of the jimson weed are not uncommon. 
Library 
Accessions.—Of the 809 volumes added to the library during 
the year, 242 were accessioned as from the bindery. The acces- 
sions for 1917 totaled 398. Of pamphlets, 384 were added as 
against 475 last year. Serial publications have increased by 37, 
the total number received now being 343, of which 257 are in 
exchange for our own publications. The numerous gifts are 
listed in Appendix 2 (p. 81). Special attention is called to the 
valued gift of autographed letters, manuscripts, drawings, and 
photographs of botanists, by Mrs. Annie Morrill Smith, and the 
gift of 23 volumes by Mrs. Joseph Epes Brown. 
Assistance —On account of unusual labor conditions resulting 
from the war, it has been practically impossible, at the amount 
available for salary, to fill the position of library assistant for 
which provision was made in the annual budget. Work has been 
accumulating for a number of years, beyond the ability of any 
one person to handle it, and every effort must be made to secure 
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