69 
proximately $100,000, the estimated cost of strengthening its 
foundations in connection with the building of the second section 
of the Brooklyn Public Library located just west of the site of the 
tower. The necessity for its removal, regretted by the entire city, 
was predicted when the present site of the new library building 
was selected. 
Hardiness of Nelumbo.—Although certain species of palms and 
of broad leaved evergreens (e.g., Prunits lawrocerasus) are hardy 
at Kew, and not at Brooklyn, the Director of Kew, Dr. Hill, when 
visiting the Brooklyn Garden in 1926, was impressed with the 
vigorous growth in our Lake of the East Indian Lotus (Nelumbo 
nucifera), which had not proved hardy at Kew. At Dr. Hill's 
suggestion sections of rootstocks were sent to Kew for propaga- 
tion. In a letter received here in February Dr. Hill wrote that, 
although the winters at Kew are milder than those at Brooklyn, 
the Nelumbo propagated from our plants had failed to prove 
hardy. The explanation for this is not certain, but it may possibly 
be that the explanation is to be found in the fact that the 
suminers at Kew are not hot and dry enough to ripen the Neltimnbo 
tissues properly for withstanding the winter weather. 
Conservatories 
Attendance at the conservatories increased from 32,880 in 1929 
to 40,093 in 1930. Several houses have been rearranged and new 
features added, such as aquatic plants in aquaria, plants useful as 
city apartments, etc. A fuller ac- 
a 
houseplants in steam-heatec 
count 1s given in the appended report of the curator of plants. 
Exhibits 
During the year 17 exhibits were installed outside of the Garden, 
with a total attendance of 42,600. Among these exhibits may be 
mentioned the one beginning April 5, in the department store of 
Abraham and Straus, Inc., Brooklyn, in connection with a series 
eal 
of talks on gardening as noted in the appended report of the 
curator of elementary instruction. 
From April 18 to 27, there was a double-window display of 
material relating to the Botanic Garden in the show windows of 
the Abraham and Straus store. This fine courtesy was arranged 
through the good offices of our president, Mr. Blum. 
