70 
fare, or regards the entire scheme as one of the modern “frills,” 
wasting time which could be spent on something more “prac- 
tical.’ But the opposition has been sporadic, the pupils them- 
selves are, for the most part, quite enthusiastic, and other cities 
may well envy Pittsburgh the possession of this unique oppor- 
tunity and the great success with which it has been utilized. 
The aim of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to further as much 
as possible the botanical work in local schools, both pub- 
lic and private, renders the Pittsburgh plan especially interesting 
and significant to the Garden administration, demonstrating, as it 
does, the entire feasibility of cooperation between the Garden 
and the local schools. All that 1s necessary to success is a rec- 
ognition of the mutual advantages to be thus derived, and co- 
sae in devising and carrying out a suitable plan. 
C. Stuart GAGER. 
CONFERENCE ON OUTSIDE COOPERATION WITH 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
— 
In response to invitations sent by Mr. John Purroy Mitchel, 
President of the Board of Aldermen of New York City and 
Chairman of the Board’s Committee on School Inquiry, a confer- 
ence was held on Friday afternoon, May 17, 1912, at 3:30 o'clock, 
in the gymnasium of the Colony Club, Madison Avenue and 
Thirtieth Street. Forty questions were proposed for discussion, 
under the following three heads: 1. [tow much more coopera- 
tion is available for schools? 2. How may agencies secure 
adequate discussion of school estimates for the budget of 1913? 
3. Is there need for a central coordinating outside agency? 
Representatives were invited from all outside organizations 
that deal directly with children of school age, including libra- 
ries, correctional institutions, truant agencies, dispensaries and 
hospitals, children’s courts, parent-teacher associations, vacation 
schools, school-gardens, playgrounds, settlement houses, and the 
Public Education Association. ‘The Brooklyn Institute was rep- 
resented by the Director, Prof. Franklin W. Hooper, and by the 
Director of the Botanic Garden, 
—" 
