215 
material, and seeds are readily germinated for supplies of seed- 
lings. During 1928 study material was supplied to over 3800 
teachers in all five boroughs of Greater New York for the instruc- 
tion of over 156,600 pupils. 
In addition to this, sterilized agar is prepared in Petri dishes and 
flasks for the study of bacteria and other germ life. This service 
and the methods of using these preparations in the schools are 
described in detail in Brooklyn Botanic Garden Leaflets, Series 
XVI, No. 2-3, April 18, 1928, copies of which may be had gratis 
on request. 
5. Penny Packets of Seeds are supplied each year to school 
pupils for planting in their school and home gardens. This service 
was inaugurated in 1914 when 25,000 packets were supplied. The 
demand steadily increased until the number supplied in one year 
(1929) has reached the total of 794,496 packets. (See p. 256- 
258.) 
The seed packets are filled by “ our own boys and girls,” that is, 
children who are registered in our classes; and in connection with 
this the children are taught how to ascertain, by experiment, the 
percentage of germination as an index to the germinating power 
of the seeds used. All seeds are tested in this way before being 
distributed. 
6. Children’s Fair. For twelve years (1914 to 1925, inclu- 
sive) the Garden held each fall, in the Laboratory Building, a 
Children’s Horticultural Exhibit of material raised by the children 
in their school or home gardens. Prizes were given for the best 
crops. The primary purpose of this exhibit was to stimulate an 
interest in gardening in city children. By 1925 it became evident 
that the original object of this exhibit had been largely accom- 
plished, and it was thereafter discontinued. 
7. Inspection of school gardens is a regular part of the work 
of the Department of Elementary Instruction. Gardens at chil- 
dren’s homes, institutions, and elsewhere are also inspected and 
advice given as to cultivation of the soil, planting, care of crops, 
GLC: 
8. Temporary Exhibits of plants and plant products are also 
placed in the Public Schools from time to time and are viewed by 
thousands of pupils. 
The extent of the Botanic Garden’s service to the Schools of 
pea 
