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to give information to people in whom the desire to know already 
exists. Requests for information on plant life are constantly 
being received, not only from residents of Greater New York, 
but from other cities and states, and from many foreign countries. 
The librarian calls attention in her report (pp. 76-80) to the 
increasing demand upon the library for information on a wide 
range of topics, and in particular from business concerns. While 
we are delighted to render this service, it has now nearly reached 
the limit of the ability of our small staff to respond. The same 
is true of requests received for information concerning such 
practical problems as the care of lawns, of trees and shrubs, of 
house plants, of vegetable and flower gardens, of cut flowers, 
and numerous other such questions. We sometimes wonder how 
any city can get along without a botanic garden! 
Public Response.—The total attendance for the year (registered 
at four gates, and estimated at one) was over 504,000, an increase 
of 66,000 over 1924. Attendance at classes and lectures was 
135,000, an increase of nearly 30,000. Students were registered 
from every borough in Greater New York, and from several 
places outside of our own city. 
Broadcasting.—The following talks concerning the Botanic 
Garden, or by members of the Garden staff, have been broad- 
casted during the year: 
By the director: 
March 31, Station WJZ. The public service of the 
Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 
By Miss Shaw, curator of elementary instruction: 
April 20, Station WNYC. Get acquainted with your 
garden. 
April 23, WNYC. Garden steps. 
May 4, WNYC. How to take care of your garden. 
News Releases —The curator of public instruction, Dr. Graves, 
has continued to supply weekly releases of news about the 
Botanic Garden to thirty-eight periodicals in different parts of 
the country. A fuller account of this valuable work is given in 
his own report (pp. 67-70). 
Popular Publications —The popularity of the Brooklyn Botanic 
Garden Leaflets continues to increase, and their circulation now 
extends from coast to coast (see also p. 42 and p. 118). 
