96 
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE HERBARIUM 
FOR 1939 
To THE DIRECTOR: 
I submit herewith my report for the year ending December 31, 
139 
Tue PHANEROGAMIC HERBARIUM 
Reorganization of the herbarium collections is constantly going 
ou: much time has been expended during the past year in identi- 
fying local collections. 
— 
For exchanges with other botanic gardens and gifts from uni- 
versities and individuals, see the list of herbarium accessions, page 
98. 
Tue LocaLt Firora SECTION 
As to the Local Flora section (native plants), the need was 
mentioned last year of a limestone ledge to occupy the southwest 
corner of the Local Flora valley. A few limestone blocks were 
received in 1937 through the much appreciated cooperation of Mr. 
Jernhard Hoffman, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, but many more 
are needed to complete the treatment as planned. This develop- 
ment will be the last one necessary to be carried out, all the other 
plant habitats having been provided for. [ach year sees some 
changes in the Local Flora area. Many of these changes come 
about gradually through the natural growth of trees and shrubs 
and herbaceous plants which have supplanted the privets, willows, 
and weigela bushes which occupied such a large part of the area 
when it was remodeled in 1931. It is hoped that the three or 
four remaining privet bushes will disappear during the coming 
year. In this area devoted to naturalistic plantings the changes in 
topography are made correspondingly inobtrusive, yet a visitor 
should note that during the past season (1939) the peat area at 
the southern end of the meadow has been extended to provide bog 
conditions for some plants which cannot stand the crowded com- 
petition of our present bog. The slope adjacent to the rocky 
embankment along the bog has also been treated with peat to 
