BULLETIN 
The New York Botanical Garden 
Vol.g No. 36 
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR- 
IN-CHIEF FOR THE YEAR 1917 
(Accepted and ordered printed, January 14, 1918) 
To THE Boarp or Manacers of the New York Botanical 
Garden. 
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit my report as 
Secretary and Director-in-Chief for the year ending 
January 14, 1918. 
Noteworthy progress has been made in the development 
of the institution and in the improvement of its grounds 
during the past year. Gifts of money for construction of 
buildings, and for paths, grading and planting, have aggre- 
gated $107,300; gifts, and purchases by the income of per- 
manent special funds, of plants, books and specimens have 
materially increased the collections and have made them 
more valuable scientifically and educationally; the new 
planting accomplished has added much to the interest and 
beauty of the grounds. Work on development has been 
accomplished both within the original reservation of 250 
acres and within the area of about 140 acres added to the 
reservation by the city in 1915. ‘The older plantations 
have all been maintained and the natural beauty of the 
tract has suffered no deterioration. The path system has 
been considerably developed by work done upon it in 
various parts of the grounds in accordance with the general 
plan, somewhat more than half a mile of paths, averaging 
10 feet in width, having been wholly or partially com- 
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