46 
nomic condition of the world, and realize that more institutions 
and organizations are reporting large net losses than net gains. 
Our record is the result of the continued effective efforts of the 
Woman's Auxihary. Mrs. Henry J. Davenport has continued as 
the Auxiliary, and 
— 
Chairman of the Membership Committee o 
the activities chiefly responsible for new members have been in 
charge of Mrs. Whitney Merrill, member of the Auxiliary and 
Milt eereraiy: 
The distribution of surplus propagating material to members 
continued for the ninth year. This is one of the numerous priv- 
ileges extended to members in consideration of the payment of 
their membership fee. It has the effect of increasing interest, not 
only in the Botanic Garden, but also in plant life and gardening, 
and thus should be of advantage to commercial horticulture. In 
fact, we have evidence that such is the case. During the year 
several hundred members were supplied with propagating material 
in the total of 4,170 plants. 
Woman's AUXILIARY 
The Woman's Auxihary has become an integral and indispen- 
sable part of the regular work of the Garden. At the close of the 
year it had 113 members. Under its auspices numerous garden 
clubs and other organizations held meetings at the Garden, and the 
course in Flower Arrangement was initiated. This was one of 
the most popular and better attended of our winter courses. Six 
sessions were held from January 3 to February 7, and 117 per- 
sons were registered for the course. The first three lectures were 
given by Miss Mary Averill, honorary curator of Japanese garden- 
ing and floral art at the Garden. Miss Averill’s book on Japanese 
lower Arrangement, published in 1913, was the first book on 
flower arrangement of any kind to be published in America. The 
other lectures were given by Miss Maude Mason (one); and by 
Mrs. Wilham FH. Cary, author of the second American book to 
be published on flower arrangement — Arranging Flowers 
Throughout the Year (two lectures). It is of interest to note 
that the authors of these pioncer books are both officially connected 
with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 
The Womans Auviliary luncheon was held in the rotunda of 
