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contractors who made some changes in the paths of the Garden. 
During the summer I made plans and drew up sketches for the 
planting of this whole northern border of the Native Wild Flow- 
er Garden, and also the replacement of the inner fringe of the 
Flatbush Avenue border screen, with native shrubs. These 
plans were first submitted to Mr. Caparn and afterward approved 
by you. 
The scheme involved the planting of strictly native shrubs 
along both sides of the Native Wild Flower Garden, leaving 
exotic sorts to serve as a background, and “tie in” the valley. 
Of native kinds 773 shrubs were planted, the several species of 
each genus together, to beautify the border of the valley. Fifty- 
six large shrubs were transplanted from the site of the shaded, 
border-mound walk mentioned above, and from the site of the 
building, to fill in the centre of this shrubbery. ‘These will serve 
as a compact screen and partly create the desired effect until the 
newly purchased plants become larger. As a general rule, most 
of the shrubs have been planted with sufficient space between 
to allow of their normal growth, without the necessity of much 
subsequent thinning. ‘There are, of course, exceptions to this 
practice. 
Most of our common wild plants cannot be purchased and 
must be collected in the field. During the season I have collected 
120 species, represented by about 280 plants, from within the 
100 mile radius, many of them in the grounds. The enlarge- 
ment of the collection will necessitate a good deal of work of 
this character, as a comparatively small number of wild plants 
are offered for sale. 
To this Section of the Garden have been added during the 
season, 2 blanket labels, 53 bed labels and 231 individual plant 
labels. Many plants were not labeled, as their identity is still 
a matter of doubt. 
Soil Improvement 
On the large central meadow of the Garden, comprising 
8 1/5 acres, a scheme of soil improvement was carried out, 
in accordance with an outline submitted by an expert from the 
Bureau of Soils, U. S. Department of Agriculture, as follows: 
