36 
Recovery and Contributions.—A national journal has recently 
published the following information based on United States 
Internal Revenue Statistics. Our national income for 1936 was 
61 per cent. greater than for 1932. During the same period con- 
tributions for social welfare fell off as follows: Churches, 30% de- 
crease; general benevolencies, 29% decrease; community chests, 
24%, decrease; colleges, 18% decrease. At the same time ex- 
penditures for certain purposes increased as follows: Jewelry, 
25%; theatres, 41%; cigarettes, 48%; automobiles, 203%: 
radio, 302%. 
During this period the incomes of those having relatively small 
incomes, have slightly increased, while the incomes (especially the 
net incomes) of those having relatively large incomes have, on the 
whole, greatly decreased. It is the latter group who have had the 
tradition and habit (as well as the ability) of contributing to 
public institutions; it is on them in particular that scientific and 
educational institutions, other than those supported by taxation, 
have largely depended for support. For these institutions capital 
is a fundamental necessity to insure financial stability; for their 
own capital they are dependent on contributions and bequests out 
of private capital. Legislation and propaganda calculated to 
weaken or destroy private capital is a vital blow not only to trade 
and industry, but also to science and art and education. 
Respectfully submitted, 
C. STUART GAGER, 
Director. 
REPORTS ON RESEARCH FOR. 1937 
PLANT PATHOLOGY 
By GEORGE M. REED 
Influence of the Growth of the Iost on Smut Development 
A final series of experiments on this problem was carried out. 
One specialized race of loose smut and two of covered smut were 
used to inoculate certain oat varieties. The plants were grown 
under different conditions with reference to the supply of nitro- 
gen, phosphorus, and potash. The influence of external factors, 
