153 
the Hudson River Valley region. Studies of onion smut condi- 
tions in the Wallkill Valley of Orange County, and a cereal disease 
survey through the Hudson River Valley were also made. Later, 
a new wheat disease caused by nematodes was investigated in 
West Virginia. 
Dr. Orland FE. White was granted a leave of absence for several 
months in 1918 in order to collaborate with the National Research 
Council in the study of problems connected with the growth and 
utilization of the castor bean, which had become of great im- 
portance for the purpose of securing oil for use as a lubricant for 
airplanes. Castor bean plantings in several Southern states were 
visited and studies were carried out on the value of different 
— 
— 
varieties for the production of oil. 
In 1917-1918, a model vegetable garden was exhibited on the 
grounds of the Botanic Garden, and many plots were devoted to 
‘“Wwin-the-war gardens.” Members of the Garden staff worked with 
the Mayor’s Committee on Food Supply. Leaflets were prepared, 
lectures were given to various groups,’ and gardens in Brooklyn 
were inspected. In the present war, a similar program of public 
education on vegetable gardening has been conducted through 
courses, lectures, demonstrations, leaflets, newspaper articles, and 
radio broadcasts. One member of the staff has devoted a large 
amount of time with the Greater New York Victory Garden 
Council. 
Arrangements were made between the Botanical Society of 
America and the Botanic Garden for the publication of the Ameri- 
can Journal of Botany. The first volume of the journal appeared 
in 1914, twenty-two volumes being published through the co- 
operation of the Society and the Garden. In 1920, a similar ar- 
rangement was made with the Ecological Society of America for 
publishing Ecology and, in 1921, with the Editorial Board of 
Genetics for the publication of its journal. Dr. Gager acted as 
Business Manager for all three journals and, since they are widely 
circulated in foreign countries, this has been one of the important 
ways in which the Garden has aided in the advancement of botany. 
