The Future? 
It is no exaggeration to say that the Garden could not have 
continued much longer in the situation which was relieved by se- 
curing the new funds. An institution, like an army, can mark 
time for only a limited period; it must then either advance or 
retreat. 
The income from the new funds will save a retreat, but they 
will only make it possible to prepare to advance. Certain ac- 
tivities which depended upon the precarious support of contribu- 
tions that had to be annually solicited, or which had been aban- 
doned or curtailed, are now assured of permanent financial sup- 
port, but there remain some of the most essential aspects of our 
work still dependent on annual contributions, and quite inade- 
quately financed. 
The Botanic Garden is still in its infancy and, like all infants, 
its appetite seems out of proportion to its size, because it must 
grow, and to grow it must be nourished. 
Specific Needs 
Research Projects 
In several preceding annual reports, mention has been made 
of our project for research in the broad subject of disease re- 
sistance in plants. The initiation of this work was made pos- 
sible by the pledge of Mr. Alfred T. White to contribute the sum 
of $50,000 to be expended for this purpose over a term of years. 
In his letter of gift, Mr. White expressed the hope, and even the 
expectation that, by the close of the period he had provided for, 
some one of the existing foundations would place the work on a 
permanent footing. This has not yet been done, but the con- 
tinuation of the work until the close of 1928 has been provided 
for by the generosity of those who have been convinced (after 
thorough investigation) of the importance of this work to science 
and to the Botanic Garden, and who are interested to have per- 
manently established here this work in which Mr. White was so 
deeply interested. 
To secure adequate endowment for this and other research 
projects should be made one of our chief concerns (as it is one 
