FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, 1895-1897. 173s 
istration of this herbarium, it was for many years relieved of the care and expense of 
this work by the Department of Agriculture. In the fall of 1894, however, the 
present Secretary, finding himself unable to give it proper accommodations, and also 
thinking it might suffer destruction if kept longer in a building which is not fire- 
proof, requested the Secretary of this Institution to resume itsdirect custody, promising, 
however, that so long as funds should be available for the purpose in the hands of the 
‘Department of Agriculture he would be responsible for its support and maintenance. 
The value of the collection was so great that the Secretary did not feel at liberty to 
refuse to receive it, and it was at once transferred, although at very great inconven- 
ience, since our Museum building is so crowded that several of its departments were 
seriously discommoded by the change. 
From that time until now the herbarium has been maintained from the appropri- 
ation of the Department or Agriculture, but the appropriation for botanical work 
has been so much decreased by the present Congress that, as I am informed, this 
can no longer be done. 
The Secretary of Agriculture has already addressed a letter to you calling your 
attention to this fact, and suggesting that the sum of $10,000, which was withdrawn 
from his appropriation, be added to our appropriation ‘ foe the preservation and 
increase of the collections in the National Museum,’’ in order to provide for the utili- 
zation of this great collection of plants. 
I need scarcely say to you that the collection is of special importance to the 
Department of Agriculture, and is necessarily in constant use by many members of 
its staff. 
Should this addition to our appropriations not be made, I do not see how it is pos- 
sible to do more for the herbarium than simply to preserve it from destruction. It 
can not be kept in such shape that it will be conveniently available for reference; it 
can not be increased in order to keep pace with the growth of botanical knowledge 
and the necessities of American botanists and of the Department of Agriculture. 
Nothing can be done with the great amount of material which is already on hand, 
which requires special treatment for its preservation and utilization. It will also be 
impossible to carry on the system of exchange, long practiced, by which not only the 
National Herbarium but all the herbariums of the country are constantly benefiting. 
Should the sum of $10,000 be provided, it would be utilized in the first place bythe 
retention of the staff of skilled assistants,.clerks, and preparators already engaged 
upon this work and now on the rolls of the Department of Agriculture. The direct 
charge of the herbarium would be, as now, in the hands of the Botanist of the 
Department of Agriculture, who, by permission of the Secretary of Agriculture, 
serves in this capacity without compensation with the title of honorary curator in 
the National Museum. There are also two skilled assistants, one at $1,800 and one 
at $1,200; and it is desired to add another at $1,500 to take charge of the collection of 
cryptogamic plants. There is also a typewriter and clerk at $900, one preparator at 
about $720, and three at $600; making, in all, $7,920. 
Supplies and materials for preservation cost annually about $1,000, about $800 of 
this sum being required for the purchase of paper for mounting and covers. 
A certain sum is required each year for the acquisition of new material—the types 
of new investigations and the results of explorations of the year. For this a sum of 
about $750 is required. This would leave a contingent fund of $330. 
Should the desired sum be granted, it will be possible to maintain this vast collec- 
tion, which is of much importance to botanical aa) in a manner befitting the 
nearty of the nation. 
Iam, sir, yours, with great respect, 
G. Brown Goopk, 
Acting Secretary. 
The Hon. Wriiram B. ALuison, 
Chairman Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate. 
