21 
World Contacts 
No institution can render the most effective service to its local 
community if its range is merely parochial. The advantage of 
international contacts, in particular, is not only stimulating, but 
reciprocally advantageous—-in science no less than in commerce 
and art and other human activities. Other things being equal, 
that institution can render the richest service to its own com- 
munity which has the largest number of contacts with other com- 
munities in its own and foreign lands. 
Circulation of Publications 
As illustrating the international aspect of our work, attention 
is called to the fact that our technical and popular publications 
circulate in 65 foreign countries. By a generous system of ex- 
changes, supplemented by subscriptions, the current issues of over 
goo periodical publications on plant life and gardening are on file 
in our library, which is open free to the public daily. These pub- 
lications come from nearly every civilized country. 
International Seed Exchange 
We are exchanging seeds and other living plant material for 
propagation and study with 140 botanical institutions located in 
40 countries. By this means we are helping to disseminate na- 
tive American plants in other lands, and are enriching American 
gardens by the introduction of foreign plants here. 
Bureau of Information 
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become a clearing house for 
information and advice on every aspect of plant life (pure sei- 
ence, applied botany, conservation, etc.). Inquiries are being re- 
ceived and answered daily from all parts of the United States and 
from. foreign countries. 
The appended: reports of various heads of departments set 
forth in more detail the multifarious ways in which the Garden 
is endeavoring to correspond with its environment—to serve the 
community, and to extend its influence throughout the scientific 
and educational world. 
