ran 
fo 
special study of the effects of radium on plants, the results of his 
investigations being published in 1908 as Memoir 4 of the New 
York Botanical Garden. His interest in this subject continued 
throughout his life. 
In September, 1908, Dr. Gager was appointed Professor ol 
Botany at the University of Missouri. He was in charge of the 
general course in botany and also taught advanced courses in 
physiology and morphology. The general course had a large en- 
rollment, mostly freshmen or sophomores in the College of Agri- 
culture or the College of Arts and Science, and offered him an 
opportunity to round out his varied experience in botanical 
teaching. 
Thus, when the Director assumed his duties on July 1, 1910, he 
brought with him a rich background of interest and experience 
in the field of botany, particularly with regard to botanical educa- 
tion. He was well acquainted with varied types of institutions— 
normal schools, high schools, research laboratories, and private 
and state universities. 
Such were the resources of the man, not vet thirty-eight years 
of age, who was appointed to direct the great undertaking of build- 
ing a botanic garden in Brooklyn. These resources would have 
been of little value for this particular work had they not been 
coupled with Dr. Gager’s broad vision and purposeful plans. 
From the very beginning he was determined to build not merely 
a local botanic garden, but an institution which would be entitled 
to take a prominent place among the botanic gardens of the world. 
How great was his vision may best be understood by recalling 
what he saw on that July day when he first surveyed the land 
which had been assigned to botanic garden purposes. Standing 
on the southeast corner of the Prospect Hill Reservoir, now 
Mount Prospect Park Playground, he could overlook practically 
all the land that later became incorporated into the grounds. A 
few years before, the Park Department had made some improve- 
ments, throwing up a border mound along Flatbush and Washing- 
ton Avenues. A few trees were planted, and walks extended 
through the area. Towards the east was an uninviting-looking 
pond and, in the distance toward Malbone Street, now Empire 
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