88 
REFERENCE Work IN THE LIBRARY 
Among the reference questions put to the library this year are 
the following, as noted from day to day: 
Material on Mediterranean fruit fly, locusts, sisal hemp, cacao, 
greenhouse management, flower arrangement, raspberry mosaic, 
methods of “dry farming ” adapted to France, origin of the dahlia 
and its native name, paper mulch, wild flower gardening, cultiva- 
tion of holly. 
We were asked to make a list of books on horticulture for a 
person buying a house in the country; where to buy electrical heat- 
ing coils for hot-beds; how to graft fruit-trees; what is the com- 
position and commercial value of humus; how to make a sun-dial. 
Also, various people wrote to members of the Garden staff asking 
for information which was available in the library. This entailed 
further correspondence, listing of books, and sometimes, eventu- 
ally, visits to consult the references. A publicity agent came to 
identify a tree used as a trade-mark on a label. A student looked 
up all varieties and hybrids of Clematis noted in early works. 
Many people asked for illustrations of flowers and plants to use 
in designing costumes, decorating cards, and similar purposes. 
Material on products of foreign countries was furnished for a 
lecture. 
AMERICAN FERN Socrery COLLECTION 
The library of the American Fern Society has been housed in 
our library since 1930. It has been somewhat increased by gifts 
ay 
and exchange, and is used by a number of the members of the 
Society. Our readers find it to their advantage to have at hand 
extra material which is not represented in our own collection. 
The statistical report is included with that of the Brooklyn Botanic 
Garden Library. 
Present Neeps or THe Liprary 
If the library work is to go on as the librarian planned and 
expected, in his continued absence, another trained assistant. is 
needed. The work cannot be adequately handled without loss 
of accuracy under existing conc 
an 
itions. Too much is being sub- 
