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vention meeting in New York in the summer of 1917, a 
large iris garden, and work was commenced in planting an 
extensive lilac garden. This development included the 
complete or partial construction of permanent stone paths 
aggregating 5,479 feet, or a little over a mile, in length, 
following the general plan approved by you on November 
18, 1915; work on these paths is being continued during the 
winter. Other paths aggregating about 2,000 feet in 
length have been partly graded. 
The kinds of living plants now represented in the col- 
lections aggregate approximately 14,106, this being the 
largest number of kinds as yet brought together by us; of 
these, about 9,250 kinds are under glass, and the remainder, 
nearly 5,000 kinds, are out-of-doors. The museums and 
herbarium were increased by over 40,000 specimens, mainly 
by exploration and by exchanges with other institutions. 
Additions to the library aggregate 415 volumes; this col- 
lection now contains 27,639 volumes. 
The natural features of the reservation have been guarded 
against vandalism and fire and have suffered no appreciable 
damage. All portions of the woodlands through which the 
trails have been fenced with guard-rails in preceding years 
are more beautiful and interesting than before, the under- 
growth and wild flowers in these areas being more luxurious 
and abundant; extension of guard-rails into other parts of 
the woodlands is most desirable, but funds for this purpose 
have not been available. 
Saturday public lectures were given in the museum build- 
ing from April 8 to November 11, to audiences averaging 
114 persons. ‘The docentry system has been continued, 
docents for school children and for parties of adults having 
been available every week-day afternoon for visits to the 
grounds, buildings, and collections. Children from the 
public schools in large parties have been given nature-study 
instruction by lectures and demonstrations. Advanced 
students and investigators from other institutions have 
had the privileges of the laboratories, experimental grounds, 
