30 
of June 2, in the peat and mulch around the blueberry shrubs in 
the Ericaceae section of the Garden. It was discovered just in 
time to save several valuable specimens. 
A previously unreported fire occurred during the afternoon of 
October 20, 1935, spreading in the dry leaves along the Flatbush 
Avenue fence, and injuring and killing several shrubs. All four 
of these fires were the result of a pandemic and expensive narcotic 
habit which need not be more specifically designated. 
Not all of these fires were discovered by a police officer, but they 
are cited here to emphasize the need of continuing oversight by 
policemen and guards. 
Moreover, police services are needed not only when the Garden 
is full of people. Vandalism usually occurs, as did our four fires, 
when there are few visitors around or after closing hours when 
pare 
there are no visitors. Major and minor cases of vandalism, a 
times involving considerable property loss, occur annually, but we 
have reason to believe that the Botanic Garden is freer from this 
than are various other areas in the City. 
Vandalism is, of course, a very old problem. Not to go back to 
the historic Vandals, we may get a shorter perspective on our own 
problem by recalling that in 1759 the Duke of Richmond threw 
open this collection of casts from antique sculptures to students of 
art. The privilege had shortly to be withdrawn because ** some 
young men... mutilated... the statues by wantonly breaking 
off fingers, thumbs, and toes.” 
ice service has been enhanced 
pay 
During 1936 the efficiency o 
the Garden plain-clothes men and also police 
po 
1 
am) 
by stationing 
ss 
women in plain clothes. 
At the request of Captain Iield, of the Fire Alarm Telegraph 
Station, Washington Avenue and [empire Boulevard, our land- 
scape architect, Mr. Caparn, went to the Station House last spring 
and gave advice concerning the planting of the grounds around the 
building. 
Brooklyn Museuin.—In November the Brooklyn Museum of- 
fered to send to the Garden, on long term loan, two metal Japanese 
Lanterns. Miss Averill, our Curator of Japanese Gardening, 
found suitable locations for these lanterns in the near vicinity of 
our Japanese Garden, and they were delivered on November 24. 
