(375) 
posed school for gardeners, by those specially interested 
in the project. We have carried our studies to a point 
where the work could be at once inaugurated, should the 
necessity arise. 
We have given careful attention to a suggestion coming 
from persons connected with the public school system of the 
City, but acting in a private capacity, that we should 
assign members of the Garden staff to give lectures on 
botanical subjects in the public schools. We have not 
deemed it either advisable or authorized for us to engage 
in this work. 
In connection with the two propositions and the sug- 
gestion thus reported, we have discussed the general subject 
of the relations of the Garden to the work of the public 
instruction of school children. We believe such instruction 
to be a legitimate and very important part of the Garden’s 
work, provided for in our charter, but that it should be 
done at the Garden, and in such a way as to be applicable 
to the public, as such. We do not see that it is practicable, 
even if it were proper, for us to carry our work into the 
public schools, without opening the door to serious future 
complications. As to our lecture work at the Garden, we 
believe that no study or effort should be spared for in- 
creasing its educational efficiency. Much has been done in 
this direction during the past year, and in our plans for 
the future. 
The course of ten lectures on horticultural subjects os 
vided last spring, was planned along this line. Althou 
we encountered exceptional interference in the form of bad 
weather, this course was very successful, as to both interest 
and attendance, an average of 113 auditors being registered. 
The ordinary lecture courses of the year have been main- 
tained, the lectures being continued through the summer 
months. The details of these courses will be presented in 
the administrative reports. 
A special course of members’ lectures has been provided 
for next year, to be given in the small lecture room at the 
Mansion. 
