44 



Genetic investigations on yield in corn. — From time to time 

 during the senior writer's connection with the Garden, experi- 

 ments on certain characters in corn or maize have been carried on. 

 During the past year some very interesting results have been 

 secured regarding the rehition of certain crosses to increased yield. 



Studies of the Variation of the Boston Fern (Neph role pis). By 



R. C. Benedict 



Studies of the variation of the Boston fern (Nephrolepis) and 

 of other ferns have been continued. The experimental work in 

 the greenhouses and out of doors under lath shade during the 

 summer has required the growing of large numbers of plants. 

 The culture work has consisted in the maintenance of older 

 forms and of testing new forms which have appeared. 



A paper was published in the Journal of Heredity giving a 

 survey of the variation of the spore-fertile form of the Boston 

 fern designated as Nephrolepis exaltata hosioniensis fertilis. This 

 Is the only known fertile form in the w^hole series of Boston fern 

 varieties. Through the propagation of Its spores, begun In 

 19 1 7, a large number of new and distinct types have been de- 

 veloped. The article in the Journal of Heredity published in 

 the September and October numbers, described the work with 

 these new forms over a period of five years. 



During this year a large number of fern plants have been 

 available for transfer to the Department of Elementary In- 

 struction. 



Ecology and Plant Geography 

 By Norman Taylor 



The work on the vegetation of Mt. Desert Island, and the 

 factors of the environment which control it, was completed 

 during the year. Field work was carried on by Major Barrlngton 

 Moore, with whom the Garden is cooperating in this study. 

 The results of our work are now written up, and in condition for 

 publication as \'olume III of the Memoirs of the Garden. 



Field work was continued on Long Island, especially on the 

 eastern end. During the summer months a temporary labo- 

 ratory was erected at Montauk for the purpose of studying the 



