EWAN aks ANNUAL REPO RA 
OF THE 
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
1931? 
REPORWR OF Ee DIRECrOR 
To THE BotTANIC GARDEN GOVERNING COMMITTEE: 
I have the honor to present herewith the twenty-first annual 
report of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, covering the activities for 
the year 1931. 
Coming of Age 
During the year 1931, the world has experienced the most 
severe and most widespread economic depression of this genera- 
tion. Thanks to the practical application of the results of bo- 
tanical research, combined with favorable weather, the growing 
season produced bumper crops of wheat and cotton, yet men have 
gone hungry and insufficiently clad. If economic science, in 
theory and practice, had been as efficient as biological science our 
country should (barring the inevitable after-effects of the Great 
War) have had a year of outstanding prosperity. 
On July 1, 1931, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden became of age. 
so far as its actual activities are concerned. Steps looking toward 
the establishment of the Garden were taken some years before 
1910, but on July 1 of that year the first director, who was also 
the first member of staff, was appointed, and the work of the 
Garden was launched. In view of the world condition just noted, 
it is a pleasure to be able to report that the Garden has made more 
progress during the year than might reasonably have been ex- 
pected. As compared with the preceding year, our total attendance 
has increased by 95,849, our permanent endowment funds by 
$12,420.16. Our research program has continued, our educational 
a" 
1 Brooktyn Botanic GarvEN Recorp, Vol. XXI, No. 2, March, 1932. 
its 
