3g 
work during the coming year seems now (December, 1936) quite 
out of the question. 
In July, 1935, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden entere 
an 
1 upon the 
second quarter century of its existence. It is a young institution. 
So far, it has manifested the vigor, the mistakes, and the promise 
of youth. It has only been able to demonstrate the lines along 
which a botanic garden may develop, to formulate ideals, and to 
lay foundations. The enrichment of its program and its progress 
es 
as an institution indispensable in the cultural life of Brooklyn will 
depend primarily upon the financial resources made available in 
the near future through Tax Budget appropriations and private 
munificence. 
Respectfully submitted, 
C. STEART GAGER: 
INDO TS ON RESEARCH -FOR O36 
PLANT PATHOLOGY 
By Grorce M. REED 
Influence of the Growth of the Host on Sinut Development 
Additional experiments were carried out on the influence of the 
growth of the oat plants on the development of the loose and 
covered smuts. One specialized race of the loose smut and two 
of the covered smut were used. [ach smut was sown on two 
— 
varieties, one of which was highly susceptible and the other 
usually gave a moderate amount of infection. Several series of 
inoculated plants were grown with and without nitrate, with and 
without phosphate, and with and without potash. In other ex- 
periments an excess of nitrate, potash, or phosphate was used. 
In order to eliminate the influence of external factors on infec- 
tion, the seedlings were germinated under the most favorable 
conditions. The seed was planted in sand with a low moisture 
content and germinated at a temperature of 20° C. The young 
anted, and from time to time the 
= 
seedlings were then transp 
various combinations of nutrient solutions were supplied. 
The results confirm those which have been obtained in previous 
years. In the various experiments there were very decided dif- 
