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the Second Annual Spring Inspection of the Garden, on May 9, 
1916, a white oak was planted by Mr. Alfred T. White, the Gar- 
den’s greatest benefactor: On the same date, a pin oak was 
_ planted by Miss Frances E. White, and a red oak by Miss Harriet 
H. White, sisters of Mr. White, and both generous contributors 
to the Botanic Garden. On the same oceasion, a black oak was 
planted by Mr. A. Augustus Healy, President of the Board of 
Trustees when the Garden was established and one of its chief 
benefactors. Since then, several other trees have been planted, or 
endowed, by individuals and organizations. 
Throughout the winter, the Garden’s conservatories attract 
many visitors and students. Several sections are given over to 
exhibits of cacti native to the deserts of the United States and suc- 
culent plants of Africa, to collections of orchids, cyeads, and va- 
rieties of Boston fern. Always of interest is the Economic House, 
in which are displayed tropical plants of utilitarian value, such as 
banana, coffee, and rubber, and which is extensively used by visit- 
ing school classes. 
The group of Australian cycads housed in the conservatories 
has an interesting story. In 1914, Dr. Gager arranged through 
the Curator of the Botanic Garden, Rockhampton, Queensland, 
Australia, for an expedition to collect these plants for the Brooklyn 
Garden, They were collected, packed in large cases, and shipped. 
Due to war conditions, they were landed and transferred at Sydney, 
Port Said, and London, as in each port their ship was taken over 
for carrying troops. After seven months of travel they arrived at 
the Garden and, because of excellent packing and their natural 
resistance to drought, they were still alive and, by excellent care, 
were established in the conservatories. Such may be the romance 
of collecting plants. 
