PALS, 
dening problems; and to enable them to meet for discussion, a 
series of special days, called Flower Days, was inaugurated in 
1927. The dates selected are those in which the particular flowers 
furnishing the theme for discussion are in their prime. Up to and 
including 1935 the following ‘‘ Days” have been observed : 
Crocus Day Rose Garden Day (June) 
Daffodil Day Japanese Iris Day 
Tulip Day Water Garden Day 
Rock Garden Day Fall Rose Garden Day 
Japanese Garden Day Canna Day 
Tris Day Chrysanthemum Day 
On each of these occasions a specialist gives an illustrated talk 
on the flower of the Day, followed by a tour of inspection of the 
flowers in bloom on the grounds of the Garden. The speakers are 
either members of the Garden staff who have made a special study 
of the flowers in question, or invited experts in their breeding or 
culture. During the outdoor inspection there is free discussion 
of questions of desirable varieties, culture, disease, ete. On re- 
turning to the Laboratory Building, tea is served. The exercises 
commence at 3:30 p.m. 
These Flower Days, now an established feature of the Garden’s 
activities, have come to be of more than local interest. In 1934 
the Botanic Garden's “ Rock Garden Day” was the occasion of 
the first annual meeting of the American Rock Garden Society. 
arly, in other years, the American Iris Society and the Ameri- 
— 
Simi 
can Rose Society have held their meetings at the Garden and have 
joined with the Garden members in the celebration of their respec- 
tive Flower Days. 
Conservatories 
The Garden conservatories contain a collection of tender and 
tropical plants. Of special interest for teachers of nature study 
and geography are the following useful plants from the tropics 
and subtropics: banana, orange, lemon, lime, kumquat, tamarind, 
West Indian cedar (the source of the wood used for cigar boxes), 
eucalyptus, Manila hemp, sisal, pandanus (source of the fiber used 
for making certain kinds of fiber hats), fig, grapevines from north 
