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The new building became the center of all Garden business on 
Friday, September 26, one year after the date on which the build- 
ing ought, by terms of the contract, to have been completed. 
The progress of the Garden was materially retarded by this 
long and enforced sojourn in cramped temporary quarters, but 
nevertheless much was accomplished in the way of preliminary 
organization, in the acquisition of books, herbarium specimens, 
lantern slides and negatives, in the starting of four Garden publi- 
cations, viz., the REcorD, Contributions, Leaflets, and Guides, in 
planning and planting the grounds, in organizing the scientific 
staff, and the gardening and laboring forces, and in giving lec- 
tures and addresses before schools, and other organizations, and 
at the Museum building. 
Second Section of the Conservatories 
The plans, contract form, and specifications for the second 
(central) part of the conservatories were transmitted by the Park 
Commissioner to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment for 
approval on March 11, 1913, and on June 19, contracts were 
awarded to the lowest bidders as follows: the general contract 
(covering foundations and superstructure) to John R. Sheehan 
& Co., Inc., for $25,380; the contract for heating, to Blake & Wil- 
liams, for $2,847; the contract for plumbing to the Altman Plumb- 
ing Co., for $585. A statement of the bids received was published 
on page 107 of the Garden Recorp for July, 1913. 
On July 8 the Commissioner of Parks directed John R. Shee- 
han & Co., Inc., to begin work on their contract, covering the 
foundation and superstructure of the second (central) section of 
the conservatories, on or before July 14, 1913. The work had 
actually begun on June 30, and the foundation was completed on 
August 9. Work on the superstructure began on September 2, 
and the entire work was completed early in December. 
Final Inspection and Payments 
On December 26, 1913, was held the final inspection of the first 
sections of the laboratory building and conservatories, and the 
second section of the conservatories. At this inspection, there 
was present Mr. H. W. Martin and Mr. Walter, representing the 

